Cypress. 281 



We arc told, however, that it is the branchlets and not the 

 leaves which arc deciduous, as the latter still remain attached to 

 the former when they haye fallen off. Like the other it grows 

 in mossy swamps and is found from Delaware to Mexico. It 

 is principally used for shingles to which it is well adapted. 

 The well known cypress knees are branches from the roots, of 

 a conical form, rising several feet above the surface, and re- 

 maining bare. We are told that it was a species of this genus 

 which was selected by the earliest architects for the most sacred 

 and magnificent of their buildings. Of Solomon's temple, 

 which was built more than two thousand years before the time 

 of CRHist, it was said that the cedar of the house within was 

 carved with knobs and flowers : all was cedar ; there was 

 no stone seen. Ancient shipping also was frequently built of 

 this timber. No doubt that the qualities of strength and dura- 

 bility, coupled with the advantage of readily yielding to the 

 tool, were among the reasons that induced the early builders to 

 select it. Besides this, it was then in many places more plen- 

 tiful and larger than any timber which could be procured. 

 We are told that now even in their own native soils they are 

 scarcely more abundant than in England. The mountains of 

 Lebanon have still a few cedars, and these are of great size ; 

 thirty-six feet, or more, in circumference. 



J l The cedars wave on Lebanon, 

 But Judah's statelier maids are gone." 



There is a peculiar character and air, says a writer, m the 

 masses of foliage belonging to this tree — a sort of flaky struc- 

 ture ; the branches having a flattish form, and these tying in a 

 level direction over each other, give it an appearance which 

 none can mistake when they have once seen it. When it has 

 attained its full size, and is in its prime, it is the most majestic 

 of trees. 



Red o'er the forest peers the setting sun, 



The line of yellow light dies fast away 



That crowned the eastern copse ; and chill and dun 



Falls on the moor the brief November day. 



Now the tired hunter winds a parting note, 

 And echo bids good night from every glade ; 

 Yet wait awhile, and see the calm leaves float, 

 Each to his rest beneath that parent shade. 



