342 CONIFERS. 



ERS nearly as in Pin us. Cones ovoid, erect, the bracts and 

 scales persistent; otherwise as in Abies. — Trees, with de- 

 ciduous soft Leaves, collected in fascicles of 20 to 40, (developed 

 in early spring) and crimson or red fertile aments in flower. 



L. Americana, Michx. American Larch. Tamarack. 



Leaves nearly filiform, without sheaths; cones ovoid, composed of few rounded 

 scales, inclining upwards; bracts elliptical, often hollowed on the side. 



Swamps, not common. Black-Hole Valley* Lycoming Co. A beautiful tree, 30 

 to 70 feet high, often cultivated. Leaves 1 to 2 inches long, collected in bunches 

 of 12 to 29 on the side of the branches. Cones deep, purple, % to 1 inch long. 



Sub-order n. CUPRESSINE^E; Cypress Family. 



Fertile flowers consisting of few carpellary scales, 

 without bracts, bearing 1 to 8 erect ovules on their base, 

 forming a closed strobile or drupe-like fruit. 



4. THUJA, Tourn. Arbor Vitie: 



Gr. Thua, Thuoia, the ancient name of some resinous evergreen, 



Flowers monoecious on different branches, in very small 

 terminal ovoid aments. Anthers 4, sessile. Fertile 

 aments of few imbricated scales, fixed by the base, each 

 bearing 2. erect ovules, dry and spreading at maturity. Co- 

 tyledons 2. — Trees or shrubs, with- evergreen sguamose im- 

 bricated leaves. 



1. T. occidentals, L. American Arbor Vita:. 



Leaves ovate- rhombic, with a gland on the back, appressed-; rubricated in 4 rows 

 on. the 2-edgcd branthlets ; scales of the cones -pointless, 1-soeded ; seeds broadly 

 ■winged. 



Swamps and Cool rocky banks, rare. A tree 20 to 30 feet high, with very tough 

 and recurvod branches. Cones about x / 2 inch long, yellowish-brown. The wood U 

 very light, soft and durable. 



The Thuja ohientalis, Chinese Arbor Vitcc a beautiful evergreen shrub, with, 

 t>right grcon foliage, is common in cultivation. 



5, CUPKE8SUS, Tourn. Cypress-; 



The classical name. 



Flowers monoecious on different branches, in terminal' 

 email aments. Sterile aments composed of shield-shaped' 

 scale-like filaments, bearing- 4 an thcr-eclrs under the margin. 

 Fertile^ aments globular, with, scales in 4. ranks, bearing 

 several erect ovules. Cone globular, firmly closed, but 

 opening at maturity. Seeds compressed, narrowly winged. 

 Gotylkdons 2 or< 3. — Strong -scented evergreen trees, with 



