240 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



bluish during the first months after their appearance, and the 

 cones, which are destitute of thorns and which shed their seeds 

 the first year, are about two inches long, rounded at the base 

 and abruptly pointed. 



The concentric circles are crowded in the red pine, and the 

 wood, when wrought, exhibits a fine, compact grain. It is 

 rendered heavy by the resinous matter with which it is impreg- 

 nated, and in Canada, Nova Scotia and the state of Maine, it is 

 highly esteemed for strength and durability, and is frequently 

 employed in naval architecture, especially for the deck of vessels, 

 for which it furnishes planks forty feet long without knots. Stript 

 of the sap it makes very lasting pumps. 



Gray Pine. Pinus rupestris. 



This species is found farther northward than any other 

 American pine. In Nova Scotia and the state of Maine, where 

 it is rare, it is called Scrub Pine, and in Canada, Gray Pine. 



In the vicinity of Hudson's Bay and a few degrees farther 

 south this tree disappears almost entirely. Here and there, in 

 the intervals of the rocks, are seen a few individuals of this 

 species of pine, which fructify and even exhibit the appearances 

 of decrepitude at the height of three feet. One hundred and 

 fifty miles farther south its vegetation is more vigorous, but it is 

 still not more than eight or ten feet high, and in Nova Scotia, 

 where it is confined to the summit of the rocks, it rarely exceeds 

 this stature. The leaves of this tree are united in pairs in the 

 same sheath, but they are disseminated over the branches instead 

 of being collected at the extremity, and are about an inch long, 

 flat on the interior and rounded on the exterior face. The cones 

 are commonly in pairs and are of a gray or ashy color, which has 

 probably lent its name to the tree ; they are about two inches 

 long, and have the peculiarity of always pointing in the same 

 direction with the branches : they are besides remakable for 

 naturally assuming an arching shape, which gives them the 

 appearance of small horns. They are extremely hard, and do 



