238 CASSAVA. 
from the bottom to the lop, in such manner as to form a nearly pyra- 
midal shape. 
In many of the old gardens in this country cypress- 
trees are still to be found, but their generally sombre 
and gloomy appearance has caused them, of late years, 
to be much neglected. They are, however, very valu- 
able on account of their wood, which is hard, compact, 
and durable, of pale or reddish colour, with deep veins, 
and pleasant smell. We are informed by Pliny that 
the doors of the famous temple of Diana, at Ephesus, 
were of cypress wood, and that, although they were 
400 years old at the time when he wrote, they appeared 
to be nearly as fresh as new. Indeed this wood was so 
much esteemed by the ancients," that the image of Jupi- 
ter in the capitol was made of it. The gates of St. 
Peter's church at Rome are stated to have been of 
cypress, and to have lasted more than 1000 years, from 
the time of the Emperor Constantine until that of Pope 
Eugenius the Fourth, when gates of brass were erected 
in their stead. As this wood, in addition to its other 
qualities, takes a fine polish, and is not liable to suffer 
from the attacks of insects, it was formerly much es- 
teemed for cabinet furniture. By the Greeks, in the 
time of Thucydides, it was used for the coffins of emi- 
nent warriors; and many of the chests which enclose 
Egyptian mummies are made of it. The latter afford 
very decisive proof of its almost incorruptible nature. 
The name of this tree is derived from the island of 
Cyprus, in the Mediterranean, where it still grows in 
great luxuriance. Its gloomy hue caused it to be con- 
secrated by the ancients to Pluto, and to be used at 
the funerals of people of eminence. Pliny states that, 
in his time, it was customary to place branches of 
the cypress-tree before the houses in which persons lay 
dead. 
251. The, CASSAVA, or C ASS AD A (Jatropha manihot) i 
a South American shrub, about three feet in height, with bro 
shining, and somewhat hand*shaped leaves, and beautiful while an 
rose- co loured flowers. 
