266 GYMNOSPEKMjE. 



rhombic, on projecting leaf-cushions. The cones are pendulous. 

 The cover-scales are much shorter than the leathery, persisting 

 ovuliferous scales. The genus Larix (Larch) differs from all the 

 others in having deciduous leaves (the three preceding have 

 leaves which persist for eleven to twelve years). It has long- 

 brandies with linear foliage-leaves and short, thick, perennial 

 dwarf -brandies, which each year form a new rosette of foliage- 

 leaves, similar to those on the long-branches. The male flowers 

 and the erect cones resemble those of Picea, and are borne on 

 dwarf-branches. Cedrus (Cedar) resembles Larix to some extent, 

 but has persistent leaves (C. libani, C. deodara). Pinus (Pine) has 

 long-branches and dwarf-branches. The leaves of the long- 

 branches are scale-like and not green; the dwarf-branches have 

 very limited growth, and persist for three years; they arise in 

 the axils of the scales borne on the long-branches of the self- 

 same year, and each bears 2-5 foliage-leaves, they are also sui 1 - 

 rounded at the base by a number of membranous bud-scales. 

 The cone-scales have a thick, rhomboid extremity (the ''shield"). 



The buds which develope into long-branches arise at the apex of other long- 

 branches, and being very close together, form false whorls. The female cones 

 occupy the position of long-branches, and take about two years for their develop- 

 ment. The male flowers arise close together, and form a spike-like inflorescence 

 at the base of a long-branch of the same year. The male flowers occupy the 

 position of dwarf-branches, so that a female cone may be considered to be a 

 modified long-branch, and a male cone a modified dwarf-branch. The main 

 axis of the seedling hss needle-like leaves, similar to those found on the older 

 parts, and on dwarf-branches ; it is not until some time later that the dwarf- 

 branches are developed and the permanent arrangement attained. 



USES. Several species are commonly cultivated in this country, partly on 

 heaths and moors, and partly in plantations and as ornamental trees, such 

 as Mountain Pine (Finns montana, Cen. Ear.); Austrian Pine (P. larieio, 

 Eur.) ; Scotch Fir (P. silvestris, Eur.) ; Weymouth Pine (P. strobtts, N. Am.) ; 

 common Ked Pine (Picea excelsa, Cen. and N. Eur.) ; White Pine (P. alba, N. 

 Am.) ; Abies pectiuata (Common Fir, S. and Cen. Eur); A. nonbnanni ina 

 (Crimea, Caucasus); A. balaamea (N. Am.); Tsnya camtdcmis (N. Am.); 

 Pneudotsuga douyladi (W.N. Am.) ; Larch (Larix europcca, Alps Carpathians) ; 

 L. sibirica {N.E. Russia, Siberia). The wood of many species, especially Pine, 

 on accoui.t of its lightness and because it is so easily wo ked, is very well 

 adapted for many useful purposes. The wood of the Yew-tree is very hard 

 and is used for ornamental turning. Resin and Turpentine (i.e. Resin with 

 essential oils, the name being derived from the Terebinth-tree, from which 

 formerly a similar material was obtained) are extracted from Finns larieio and 

 P. pinaster. Oil of Turpentine is obtained by distillation of turpentine with 

 water; Tar by dry distillation of Pine-wood. Canada-balsam is from North 



