COMMUNICATIONS. 247 



sin, to supply the southern part of the State, Illinois, Iowa, Mis- 

 souri, etc. It is undoubtedly the most valuable tree for this pur- 

 pose in our forests. The southern limits may be regarded as on 

 a line extending from the Sheboygan river to the north end of 

 lake "Winnebago ; thence to the falls of the several larger rivers 

 to those of the St, Croix. There are also pineries on the head 

 waters of the Lemon wier, and of the Baraboo. 



The White Pine is easily distinguished from all the others by 

 having five leaves together in each sheath; and by the long 

 slender cones. Trees have been measured over two hundred 

 feet in hight, and in Wisconsin they tower high above all the 

 other trees of the forest. 



The flowers of the White Pine appear in May, but the seeds 

 do not ripen until October of the next year. They may be 

 gathered at any time during the next winter. The trees have 

 an annual growth of about half an inch in diameter. 



The poll 'n of the pine tree is produced in great quantities, so 

 as to be blown about by the winds, producing what has been 

 supposed to be showers of sulphur. These minute grains fall 

 into the waters of the great lakes, where they excite the wonder 

 of the sailors, who suppose them to be "the impurities of the 

 waters working themselves out !" 



54. Abies balsamea, of Marshall. — Balsam Fir. 



This very fine tree is found only in the northern part of the 

 State, extending south in the vicinity of Lake Michigan, only as 

 far as the Manitowoc river. The Fir and Spruce trees differ 

 from the Pines in the manner of growth of the leaves, which are 

 scattered singly on the l)ranches instead of being collected into 

 bunches of from two to five from the same base. The resin of 

 the present species is known as Canada Balsam, much used in 

 medicine ; and it has lately been employed by microscopists to 

 give transparency to various objects under examination ; also as 

 a varnish. 



This tree is used only for ornamental purposes, not attaining 

 sufficient size to be of much value for the ordinary purposes of 

 timber, etc.. 



