522 CONIFERS. 



time the lateral branches increase in size and length, so 

 as at last to cover a space whose diameter is often much 

 greater than the height of the tree itself. In this state 

 the Cedar presents the form of a wide-spreading tree with 

 a flattened pyramidal head, the branches and foliage being 

 disposed in regular tiers or stages, an effect resulting from 

 their horizontal disposition, and from the flat fan-like growth 

 of the branchlets, thickly beset with their tufted leaves. 

 This, we may remark, refers to the usual growth of the 

 Cedar when planted singly or with sufficient room in all 

 directions, for the free expansion of its limbs ; for when 

 planted in company with, or drawn up among other trees, 

 it loses, like most of the firs, the lower branches, and 

 produces a clean straight trunk, and in this state, except 

 for its permanent foliage, might easily be mistaken for the 

 larch. 



The leaves, which remain two years upon the branches, 

 are singly disposed upon the shoots of the current year, 

 like those of the larch ; but as numerous buds are formed 

 upon the young wood, from each of these in the following 

 season a tuft or circle of leaves is produced ; these leaves 

 are succeeded by others for many years in succession, and 

 cause a very small elongation or annual growth of the bud, 

 which may be recognised in the narrow rings composing 

 the basal part of such buds as have been in existence for 

 several years. From some of these buds eventually pro- 

 ceed the male and female catkins, the former of which are 

 solitary, single, about two inches long, and turning up- 

 wards, composed of numerous imbricated and sessile sta- 

 mens on a common axis. 



The pollen, which is abundant, and of a pale yellow 

 colour, is produced from two celled anthers, which crown 

 each stamen. The female catkins are short, oval, and 



