the *arbor vitae*, in botany; A genus of plants belonging to the clas of *monadelphia*, and order of *monocotyledons*; and in the natural system ranging under the 5th order, *Coniferae*. There are four species known; the orientalis, occidentalis, apylia, and dolabrata; of which the two first are most remarkable.

The *orientalis*, or common *arbor vitae*, grows naturally in Canada, Siberia, and other northern countries. In some of the English gardens a few of these trees are to be met with of a large size; it has a strong woody trunk, which rises to the height of 40 feet or more. The bark, while young, is smooth, and of a dark brown colour; but as the trees advance, the bark becomes cracked, and less smooth. The branches are produced irregularly on every side, standing almost horizontal, and the young slender shoots frequently hang downward, thickly garnished with leaves; so that when the trees are grown large they make but an indifferent appearance. The young branches are flat, and their small leaves lie imbricated over each other like the scales of a fish; the flowers are produced from the side of the young branches pretty near to the foot-stalk; the male flowers grow in oblong catkins, and between these the female flowers are collected in form of cones. When the former have shed their farina, they soon after drop off; but the female flowers are succeeded by oblong cones, having obtuse smooth scales, containing one or two oblong seeds. The leaves of this tree have a rank oily scent when bruised.

2. The *orientalis*, or China *arbor vitae*, grows naturally in the northern parts of China, where it rises to a considerable height; but this has not been long enough in Europe to have any trees of large size. The seeds of this fort were first sent to Paris by some of the millionaries; and there are some of the trees growing in the gardens of the curious there, which are more than 20 feet high. The branches of this fort grow closer together, and are much better adorned with leaves, which are of a brighter green colour, so make a much better appearance than the other, and being very hardy, it is esteemed preferable to most of the evergreen trees with small leaves, for ornament in gardens. The branches of this tree cross each other at right angles; the leaves are flat; but the single divisions of the leaves are slender, and the scales are smaller and lie closer over each other than those of the first fort. The cones are also much larger, and of a beautiful grey colour; their scales end in acute reflexed points.

These trees are propagated by seeds, layers, or cuttings.