298 THE FLORIST. 



dominating trees are an evergreen Oak (Quercus californica), occurring 

 on the lower grounds, the higher parts being occupied by Pinus 

 insignis — a tree 60 to 100 feet in height, with a stem of two to four 

 feet in diameter. This species is hable to vary much in the size of the 

 leaves (which stand in threes) and cones, according to local circum- 

 stances. . . . These differences, which are too insignificant to 

 establish even varieties of Pinus insignis, have given rise to the names 

 Pinus tuberculata and radiata, which were, according to Loudon, col- 

 lected by the late Dr. Coulter near the sea-shore at Monterey ; that 

 locaHty no doubt is Point Pinos, as it is the only habitat near Mon- 

 terey where Pines grow close to the beach ; it is at the same time the 

 place where I made the foregoing observations." 



Pinus insignis forms an upright growing tree, furnished with 

 numerous branches down to the ground, which as they grow have an 

 upward tendency ; these are thickly clothed with leaves, presenting a 

 dense mass of foliage of the deepest green ; they are arranged by three 

 and sometimes four in a sheath, the older ones being much twisted ; 

 they vary in length between four and six inches from trees in dif- 

 ferent situations ; the cones are ovate, bluntly pointed, about three inches 

 long, with tubercular scales. As stated above, the tree attains the 

 height of 100 feet in its native country, and there can be no doubt, 

 judging by the rate of growth of the tree in this country, that it will 

 fully equal those dimensions in Britain. 



The specimen figured was planted by ourselves in 1838, then about 

 18 inches high ; it now measures 42 feet in height, with a stem girthing 

 48 inches at one foot from the ground, and this in very poor sandy soil, 

 and without any assistance in the shape of manure, &c. 



As regards the application of this tree to park or forest scenery, we 

 may observe that it can hardly be planted out of place ; we believe it 

 ^vill thrive (except on strong cold clays) on any soil or exposure in 

 Britain. For effecting an impenetrable blind it has no equal, from the 

 rapidity of its growth and extremely dense foliage. As a plantation 

 tree it will form one of the best preservers of game, for the like reasons ; 

 while it is equally to be recommended as a park tree, where its dark 

 green foliage will contrast favourably with other Conifers ; or for an 

 ornamental lawn plant ; and as cemeteries are now springing into 

 existence in all directions, this tree may claim attention as a suitable 

 one for decorating even our last resting-places. 



From specimens of the wood exhibited before the Horticultural 

 Society this last spring, we may infer the wood has no particular merit 

 to recommend it ; but as an ornamental and useful tree, in our opinion, 

 it is not surpassed by any among our hardy Conifers. 



XIX. PINUS RADIATA — THE RADIATE SCALED PINE 



A species nearly allied to P. insignis, which it closely resembles in 

 general appearance. Gordon states, that it differs from P. insignis in 

 the latter having stouter and longer leaves than radiata, which latter 

 has cones nearly three times the size of insignis, more pointed, and 

 with scales much more elevated ; it was first discovered by Dr. Coulter 

 (see note on P. insignis), who states it to grow near the level of the 



