OF FOREST-TREES. 



9 



of coronary gardens, and to be shorn. There is yet another of the CHAP. I. 

 North America, lighter than cork itself, of a fragrant scent which is its ^-^"v"^ 

 only virtue. 



After all these exotics brought from our plantations, answering to the 

 name of Cedar, I should esteem that of the Bermuda little inferior, if not 

 superior, to the noblest Lebanon ; and next, that of Carolina for its many 

 uses and lasting. 



Having spoken of their several species, we come now to the culture. 

 These are best raised from the seeds, since it would be difficult to receive 

 any store from abroad. To begin with that of Mount Libanus : those 

 which seem of the greatest antiquity are indeed majestical, extending the 

 boughs and branches, with their cones sursum sjjectcmtia, as by most we 

 are told ; though a late traveller * found them otherwise depending, like • Le Bmyn. 

 other coniferous trees. The sturdy arms, though in smaller sprigs, grow 

 in time so weighty as often to bend the very stem and main shaft, whilst 

 that which is most remarkable, is the structure of the cones and seed 

 receptacles, tacked and ranged between the branch-leaves in such order, 

 as nothing appears more curious and artificial, and at a little distance 

 exceedingly beautiful, These cones have their bases rounder, shorter, 

 or rather thicker, and with blunter points, the whole circumzoned, as it 

 were, with pretty broad thick scales, which adhere together in exact 

 series to the very top and summit, where they are somewhat smaller ; 

 but the entire lorication smoother couched than those of the Fir-kind. 

 Within these repositories, under the scales, nestle the smaU nutting seeds, 

 or rather kernels, of a pear-shape ; which, how nourished and furnished 

 from the central stile, with their other integuments, is admirably de- 

 scribed by Mr. Ray, as that of the stalk of the clogs, thicker and longer, 

 and so firmly knit to them, that it requires considerable force to part them 

 from the branch without splitting the arm itself. We have said nothing 

 concerning the leaves of this tree, which much resemble those of theLarix, 

 but somewhat longer and closer set ; they are erect, and perpetually 

 green, which those of the Larch are not, 



The seeds drop out of the cones as the Fir and Pine kernels do when 

 the air, sun, or moisture open and unglue the scales, which naturally it 

 else does not in those of the Cedar till the second year ; but which, after 



