172 Capt. S. E. Cook on the Genus Pinus and Abies. 



it is to be regretted that the local name [A. cephalonica) should 

 have been conferred, for there can be no doubt that the same 

 species forms the capping found by the French Savans who 

 recently visited that country, to cover the loftiest summits of 

 Mount Taygetus, in the centre of the Peloponnesus, and hel- 

 lenica or grceca would have been a better distinctive appella- 

 tion. This with the common species of Europe and the pichla 

 forms three varieties, which no doubt will be found to differ 

 in quality as in hardiness, when we have the opportunity of 

 minutely comparing them. 



These absolute zones or degrees of ability to resist the cold 

 can only be collected by extensive observations and compa- 

 risons of many regions, but when treated on that scale are con- 

 stant and unvaried. There are localities notwithstanding, 

 where the species nearly allied in hardiness meet as upon 

 neutral ground. The Splugen is one of these. In passing that 

 wild mountain, five years since, I took up in the same part 

 of the Rheinwald, plants of P. sylvestris, A, excelsa, A.pecti- 

 nata, and Larix europeeus, which were thus congregated; and 

 in judging hastily it might have been inferred that the species 

 grew naturally at the same degree in elevation, which, as we 

 have demonstrated, would have been erroneous. 



We now proceed to the application of the facts on which 

 the foregoing observations are founded, namely, to show the 

 practicability of cultivating some species of Pinus on a large 

 scale, with a view to the increase of our national resources, 

 and to render the payment of enormous sums annually for 

 timber hereafter in a great part unnecessary. There is no 

 question whatever that the Grampian mountains, instead of 

 being as at present, in great part an unproductive waste, 

 would, if properly managed, at a cost comparatively trifling, 

 enable us not only to provide for our own wants, but even to 

 export timber, instead of being, as we are at present, wholly de- 

 pendent on foreign countries for this necessary of life. 



We are indebted for our attention being called to this im- 

 portant subject by the prudent and calculating foresight of 

 the Dukes of Athol, who in laying the foundation of enormous 

 wealth and power for their descendants, have shown the policy 

 which ought to be followed by the nation. 



