242 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



forest where the vegetation is all on the same scale of grandeur, and the 

 pines the most remarkable features of the scene. 



In addition to the prevalence of pines, a "peculiar interest attaches to 

 their history, whether viewed from the point of mere utility, or considered 

 as elements of the picturesque. Their general hardiness, and the fact of 

 their flourishing in barren elevated regions, where 'few other tribes of 

 plants find either sufficient food or shelter, add to their claims on our 

 attention, as objects of botanical study, and as subjects for culture ; for 

 though from their commonness they are homely things, yet they are so 

 mixed up with the incidents of romance, travel, and adventure, that the 

 appearance anywhere in the landscape of a towering fir or spreading 

 cedar, is sufficient to excite emotions of the most pleasing kind ; their 

 majestic outlines embellish the sacred narrative, and their presence adds 

 to the sublimity of the descriptions given us of the wildest scenes of 

 nature. 



The appearance of a work wholly devoted to the history of the Conifers, 

 is to us an interesting event in the annals of horticultural literature. 

 But few attempts have been made to systematize the existing knowledge 

 of the subject, and though the beautiful octavo volume before us may be 

 truthfully spoken of as a masterpiece, there remains much yet to be accom- 

 plished, especially as to the determining of some generic and specific 

 distinctions, and the assigning to their proper places some examples that 

 have hitherto refused to comply with the established principles of classifi- 

 cation. As this is the season for planting, and as the Conifers are becom- 

 ing more and more popular as ornaments for parks and gardens, the 

 appearance of Mr. Gordon's " Pinetum " is opportune ; and, having read 

 the work with pleasure and profit, we here commend it to our readers as 

 an admirable, and, indeed, the only text book on the subject,"' and its pre- 

 paration was a task for which Mr. Gordon was well fitted, from his long 

 experience as superintendent of the gardens of the Horticultural Society 

 at Chiswick. 



" Regarded from almost every point of view," says the author, " this 

 tribe possesses great importance. In the northern regions, its members 

 out-number the common broad-leaved trees, by about ten to one; they are 

 mostly distinguished for majesty or symmetrical gracefulness ; and their 

 timber, from its length, straightness, and strength, is most valuable in the 

 arts." A striking characteristic of the tribe is its partiality for elevated 

 regions, and in the economical applications of the timber and secretions — 

 the almost universal presence of resin distinguishes them from all other 

 tribes. In Sweden, Norway, Russia, Poland, and Prussia, the pine and 

 fir forests are immense, and they follow very closely the configuration of 

 mountain lines. The Gulf of Bothnia, says Dr. Clarke, is surrounded by 

 one continuous unbroken forest, as ancient as the world ; in the temperate 

 and northern zones of Europe, they accompany mountain ranges, varied 

 in species according to the soil and degree of elevation, and ascend to the 

 regions of perpetual snow, where they still flourish in perpetual verdure, 

 the giant guardians of silent solitudes. Their preference for a soil con- 

 sisting chiefly of the debris of granitic rock, with a dry subsoil, combined 



* The Pinetum, being a synopsis of all the coniferous plants at present known ; with 

 descriptions, history, and synonymes. By George Gordon, A.L.S., assisted by Robert 

 Glendinning, F.H.S., of the Chiswick Nursery. London : H. G. Bohn. 



