CUPSESStjS SEMPERVIBENS. 23? 



in cultivation of the Californian Gupressus macrocarpa. M. Carriere 

 is of opinion that the spreading form is the type, and the upright 

 kind only a variety.* As in the case of G. macrocarpa, the two 

 extremes arc connected by intermediate forms, in which the gradations 

 from one to the other are plainly perceptible. 



Many varieties of Gupressus sempervirens have been noticed, and 

 some of them described as distinct species; but owing to their com- 

 parative tenderness, or the slight deviation they show from one or 

 other of two forms described above, few, if any of them, are to be 

 seen in British gardens. It is sufficient in this place to mention one 

 only, 0. sempervirens indica, which is met with in Nepaul, thus 

 proving that the common Cypress must, at one time, have had a very 

 extensive range. The Himalayan variety differs from the European 

 type, as cidtivated in England, chiefly in having a more open head. 

 It is the G. Whitleyana of Gordon's Pinetum. 



The economic value of Gupressus sempervirens is not very consider- 

 able, although its wood is virtually indestructible by ordinary agents, 

 except fire. This remarkable durability was known to the Greeks 

 and Romans, who employed Cypress wood in the construction of 

 various articles of household furniture, also for chests, vine props, 

 posts, and pallisades, and especially for coffins, which were found to 

 resist decay for ages after being buried in the earth, t It is still 

 used for similar purposes in the south of Europe. In Great Britain 

 the only use of G. sempervirens is for ornamental planting, and 

 although it has been known over three hundred years, there are no 

 old trees in this country owing to climatal causes. In the south of 

 Europe, it lives to a great age, and attains a height sometimes 

 exceeding 100 feet. There are still existing in France and Italy 

 ancient trees of great historic interest, and others associated with 

 illustrious names in literature and art. There are three Cypresses 

 standing in the Garden of the Convent of the Chartreuse, at Eome, 

 that were planted by Michael Angelo (a.d. 1474-1563) ; one is in a 

 state of decay, the other two are still vigorous. The Cypress of Somma, 

 in Lombardy, is much more ancient. Tradition refers it to the time of 

 Julius Caesar. " Besides its great age, it is remarkable for having 

 been wounded by Francis I., who is said to have struck his sword 

 into it in his despair at losing the battle of Pavia; and for having 

 been respected by Napoleon, who, when laying down the plan for 

 the great road over the Simplon, diverged from the straight line to 

 avoid injuring the tree." J M. Carriere states that there still remains 

 a Cypress near Montpellier over eight hundred years old, and known 

 to the inhabitants by the name of Arbre de Montpellier. It is the 

 only surviving tree of the forest of Cypresses that is believed to 



* Traite Geitiral des Cowifires, p. 149. 

 t Loudon, Arb. et Frtd., p. 2473. t Idem, p. 2471. 



