CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DECIDUOUS CYPRESS 215 
a bronze shade of colour and often remain 
on the branches as late as January. 
(2) The leading shoots are persistent, the non- 
leaders and budless shoots fall away with 
the leaves, and litter the ground underneath 
as if squirrels had been at work. 
(3) It can be recognized from other trees in 
winter by a very marked appearance. The 
branchlets are studded all over with white 
dots caused by the leaf-scars. 
(4) Another but less distinctive clue may be 
perhaps worth calling the attention of the 
stranger to, and that is its appearance at 
a distance in the sere and yellow of its days. 
The orange colour of its branches and twigs 
shows out clear against the sky, and light 
up a winter landscape in the same way that 
brightly stemmed willows are known to 
do, or that Japanese Larch are beginning 
to be recognized as doing, and as in a lesser 
degree our Poplars and Field Maples, both 
of which have a winter colour of their 
own when bared of leaves. 
These are a few indications that give a clue to its 
identity in winter time, and they are distinguishing 
clues under which no other tree can masquerade. 
We have read, heard and seen everywhere, and 
have every reason to believe that what we have read, 
heard, and seen is true, and all evidences announce 
the regrettable fact, that this tree of our subject has 
not been planted much of late years. Is it the fault 
of the nurserymen for not calling, or the fault of the 
landowners for not paying, attention to it ? 
In a circular-built temple of Vesta at Rome it is 
recorded that a sacred fire, which was regarded as 
essential to the well-being of that State, was kept 
perpetually burning and aflame; and, moreover, 
