OF FOREST-TREES. 



CYPRESS^ 



1. This is either the Sative or Garden-tree, the most pyramidal and CHAP, 

 beautiful ; or that which is called the Male, though somewhat preposte- 

 rously, which bears the small cones, but is of a more extravagant shape. 

 Should we reason only from our common experience, even the Cypress- 

 tree was, but within a few years past, reputed so tender and nice a plant, 

 that it was cultivated with the greatest care, and to be found only 



^ Of this GENUS there are four species: 



1. CUPRESSUS ( SEMPERViRENs J folus imbricatis, frondibus quadrangulis. Lin, Sp. 

 PI. 1422. Cupressus, C. B. P. 488. Ei'ergreen uphight cypress, 



Tliis tree is very common in most of our old gardens, but at present is rather neglected. It 

 adds a considerable beauty to wildernesses and clumps of Evergreens, and is reported to be 

 valuable on account of its wood. There is a variety of this tree, entitled, by Tournefort, 

 Cupressus mmos extra ae spargens s, mas. Imt. 587. It is commonly called the Male Spreading 

 Cypress, and is the most common timber in some parts of the Levant, It is considerably 

 larger than the Upright sort. If planted upon a warm gravelly soil it will prosper wonder- 

 fully ; though not so finely shaped as the female, it makes up for that defect by its vigorous 

 growth and strength, resisting all weathers. It is very proper to intermix with Evergreens 

 of a second size next to Pines, to form clumps ; in which class it wiU keep pace with the trees 

 of the same line, and be very handsome : besides, the wood of this tree is very valuable, 



when grown to a size fit for planks. In the islands of the Archipelago, as Mr. Evelyn in, 



forms us, it was customary, upon the birth of a daughter, to plant a Cupresseturn, or grove of 

 Cypress- trees, to be given her for a portion. Hence every plantation of this kind was called 

 Bos Filiat, or a Daughter's Dower. Were gentlemen in this country to imitate this practice 

 with other trees, they might provide handsome fortunes for their younger children without 

 incumbering their estates. This species of Cypress continues many years before it comes to 

 decay. At this present time (1776) there are growing in the garden of the Palace Df 

 Generalife at Granada, several superb and lofty Cypresses, which it is well known were large 

 trees in the reign of Audeli, the last Moorish king, three hundred years ago, These trees 

 are still called Los Cypresses de la Reyna Sultana, from that princess having been falsely 

 accused of committing adultery under them with Albin Hamet Abencerrage, as we read in 

 the Ouerras Civiles de Ch'anada. 



2. CUPRESSUS (distich A J foliis distichis patentibus. Lin. Sp, PI. J 422, Cupressus 

 Americana. Cat. Car. 1. Cupressus Virginiana, foliis acaciae deciduis. Hort. Amst. i. 

 p. 113. The deciduous ctpress. 



This kind of Cypress, if stationed in a place suitable to, its nature, will grow to the height of 

 sixty feet. It is very hardy in respect to cold. In Virginia, and several parts of America, 

 where this tree is a native, it is a real aquatic, being found growing to a very large size in 

 places wholly covered with water ; and with us, if planted in watery places, by the edges of 

 rivers, ponds, springs, &c. it will be more luxuriant, and will proportionably arise to a greater 



