535. This tree, which is the species known as the Upright Cypress, derives its name from the Island of Cyprus, where it grows in great abundance; it is also a native of Asia Minor, Persia, and the south of Europe. It is cultivated in all the countries along the shores of the Mediterranean. It thrives best in a warm sandy or gravelly soil. The tree also grows in England, but is not much cultivated. In its native countries it grows to the heights of 70 to 90 feet, with stems thick in proportion, but in England it seldom attains a greater height than of about 40 feet. The tree is evergreen, and grows with all its branches in an upright direction, closely pressed to the stem.

Of all timber, that of the cypress is supposed to be the most durable. The doors of St. Peter's Church at Rome, which it is asserted had been formed of this material in the time of Constantine, showed no sign of decay when, after the lapse of nearly 600 years, they were taken down by Pope Eugenius IV., and replaced by gates of brass. The Athenians, in order to preserve the remains of their heroes, buried them in coffins of cypress, and the coffins in which the Egyptian mummies were found are usually of the same material. For furniture it is said to be equal to mahogany, for though not so beautiful in its colour, it is stronger, resists the worm equally, and its odour repels insects from whatever may be contained in a cabinet or chest made of it. In Candia and Malta it is much used for building purposes, and it is there considered the most durable of all timber. The weight of a cubic foot is about 40 1/2 lbs.