FOREST TREES. 429 



with a fine elm {b) between them. The following are the dimensions 

 of the three cedar trees : — 



I 



FT. IN. 



Circumference at ground 26 o 



„ four feet above ... 17 8 



Height of tree , . 80 o 



Greatest spread of branches .... 94 o 



The figure of the cedar cones (fig. 959) is from the pencil of 

 Mrs. Jackson. The wood of the Cedar contains a volatile essential oil, 

 which has the curious property of 

 unsettling printers' ink and making 

 it run. Some years ago a Bank 

 of England note was offered to 

 the cashiers with its printing dis- 

 turbed. Inquiries were set on 



foot, and it was traced to several Fig. 959— Cones of Cedar of Lebanon. 



individuals, who satisfactorily explained its custody and possession. 

 It was then brought to me, when I suggested that the detectives should 

 inquire whether it had been kept in a cedar box ; it was then dis- 

 covered that the last possessor had kept it in a new cedar box which 

 she had recently bought, and thus the mystery was solved. 



The Himalayan variety, the C. Deodara, is now a great favourite, 

 and is generally planted at the present time, to the neglect of the 

 C. Libani. When young it is very graceful, and the ends of the 

 branches are pendulous. As it grows it raises the ends of its branches, 

 like C. Libani. It is somewhat tender, and with me it is occasionally cut 

 down by frost. Trees covered by snow have escaped, but those from 

 which the snow was blown died back. This variety is apt to die when 

 about fifteen or sixteen years old. A friend of mine expressed an 

 opinion that this would be the case, arguing that a mountain variety 

 will not flourish in the plains ; and though he planted with the greatest 

 care a number of the healthiest specimens he could procure, it is 

 a remarkable fact that many of his trees have died, as he predicted. 

 Where cedars are required, the C. Libani, among large species, is, 



