Part 6 (1/2)

The branches are very numerous and small, and are not regularly arranged in whorls like most of the narrow-leaved trees. These branches all slope upward from the trunk, the ends having a tendency to bend downward and make delicate drooping spray, with very small, linear, entire leaves only inch long. Four of the largest trees show fruit, and each of these has only about a half-dozen of the globular cones. Only a few of the trees--those in the wettest places--have the k.n.o.bs on the ground near the base.

_No. 4._

The Bald Cypress (_Taxodium distichum_) is a common tree, a native of the Gulf States, growing very abundantly in the wettest swamps of that region. The northern limit of the tree in its wild state is said to be central Delaware and southern Illinois, but it can be successfully cultivated in the region around Boston. There are several named varieties, one with the leaves but slightly spreading from the spray, and the whole of the branches showing a decided weeping tendency, so that it is called the Weeping Cypress. The k.n.o.bs from the roots, called Cypress-knees, grow very abundantly around all the trees in the southern swamps. These grow to the height of from 2 to 4 feet, and are very thick, sometimes as much as 5 feet. They are hollow, and are occasionally used for bee-hives.

It is said to be a broad, flat-topped tree, spreading its top over other trees. This seems very strange, as none of those in Trenton, N. J., show such a tendency, but are quite spire-shaped. The wood is light, soft, straight-grained, and is said to be excellent for s.h.i.+ngles and for other purposes. It generally has a dark reddish or brownish hue. It is a large tree, growing to the height of 140 feet. The trunk is sometimes 12 feet through near the ground. The flowers of the tree are in small catkins, blooming before the leaves expand in the early spring; in February, in South Carolina.

PART III.

KEY, CLa.s.sIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES.

_Method of Using the Key._

First read _all_ the statements following the stars (*) at the beginning of the Key; decide which one of the statements best suits the specimen you have. At the end of the chosen one there is a letter in parenthesis ( ). Somewhere below, this letter is used two or more times. Read carefully _all_ the statements following this letter; at the end of the one which most nearly states the facts about your specimen, you will again be directed by a letter to another part of the Key. Continue this process till, instead of a letter, there is a number and name. The name is that of the genus, and forms the first part of the scientific name of the plant. Turn to the descriptive part of the book, where this number, in regular order, is found. Here descriptions of the species of the genus are given. If there are many species, another Key will lead to the species. While the ill.u.s.trations are intended to represent characteristic specimens, too much dependence must not be placed upon them; the leaves even of the same plant vary considerably, and the different varieties, especially of a cultivated plant, vary widely. Read the whole description before deciding.

The fractions beside the figures indicate the scale of the drawing as compared with the natural size of the part: 1/1 indicates natural size; 2/1, that the drawing is twice the length of the object; , that the drawing is one fourth the length of the object, etc.

In the description of leaves the dimensions given refer to the blade.

=KEY TO THE GENERA OF TREES.=

* Leaves narrow linear, needle, scale or awl shaped, usually but not always evergreen. (=GG.=) page 60.

* Leaves broad, flat, usually deciduous, occasionally evergreen, rarely over 5 times as long as wide.

(=A.=)

=A.= Leaves alternate,[1] simple. (=B.=)

=A.= Leaves alternate, compound. (=m.=) page 57.

=A.= Leaves opposite or whorled on the stem. (=u.=) page 58.

=B.= Leaves with a midrib, netted-veined. (=C.=)

=B.= Leaves without a midrib, parallel-veined 109. _Salisburia._

=C.= With radiating ribs, and including those which have the lower ribs longer and more branching than those above them. (=f.=) page 56.

=C.= With distinct and definite feather-veining. (=D.=)

=D.= Margin entire, or so nearly so as to appear entire, sometimes slightly angulated but not lobed. (=V.=)

=D.= Once or twice serrate or crenate or wavy-edged, but not lobed. (=E.=)

=D.= Distinctly lobed. (=S.=) (If the notches are over 10 on a side, look under =E.=)

=E.= Straight-veined. (=M.=)