72 PINACE.E. 



CUPRESSUS KNIGHTIANA : Kniglit's Cypress. 



This is a Mexican ; where it is said to attain a height of one hundred 

 and twenty feet, and a trunk diameter of three feet, and that its timher 

 is excellent. From my experience of it under cultivation, and exami- 

 nations of its ligneous tissue, I am satisfied it will falsify both these 

 statements in Britain ; for, although tolerahly hardy, it requires the 

 best soils, warmest localities, and most sheltered situations to induce it 

 to grow, much less to develoj) itself fully ; yet, in situations favour- 

 able to it, a handsome, free-growing tree, with glaucous green leaves, 

 brownish spreading branches, and feathery, glaucous and plum- 

 coloured branchlets woidd reward its planter. 



CUPRESSUS Law^SONIANA: Lawson's Cypress. 



This is a distinct kiad, though somewhat related to its congener, the 

 " Xootka Sound Cypress," both of which partake much of the Arbor- 

 Yitse character. It is found in the valleys of ]^orthern California, 

 where it attains a height of one hundi^ed feet : the wood produced by 

 it is compact, tolerably close-grained, clean-fibred, somewhat resinous, 

 easily wrought, and when matured and seasoned, no doubt it will prove 

 durable. This Cypress is thoroughly hardy, and seems to grow freely 

 in most soils and situations ; and young plants of it grow so rapidly 

 that we are planting it out, on a small scale, as a forest tree, in the 

 hope that when it becomes matured, and is felled by the succeeding 

 generation, it will be found to be good and profitable timber : few, if 

 any, of the firs and pines are more easily propagated or increased, 

 inasmuch as it is a most abundant seeder, producing cones as freely as 

 foliage, even on young plants less than a yard in height. This, indeed, 

 might fairly be assumed as an indication of constitutional weakness : 

 but the apparently vigorous growth and robust habit of the plant, 

 argue very strongly against such a supposition, and it roots most freely 

 from cuttings. These characteristics will, doubtless, be the means of its 

 being largely employed as an ornamental tree or shrub in this country ; 

 and for such a piupose it is well suited, being, as it is, a most handsome 

 tree, and when young a most beautiful shrub, since its branches are 

 numerous and Avell-clothed with foliage ; and though inclined to grow 

 erect, yet the leading annual shoots and the branclilets are drooping, 

 and slender, and regularly disjjosed, rendermg most symmetrical 

 pyramids of rich green spray ; or graceful pillars of plumes and 

 feathers, particularly pleasing when thickly studded with the yellow, 

 ruby, and gTeen catkins in spring ; and with the green and dappled 

 brown cones in summer and autumn. There are ah-eady several 



