ASIATIC COXIFEKS. 



classed also. Pindrow forms dense forests on all the great spurs of the Kumaoon 

 Alps, toward the heads of the Pindur, Turjoo, Ramgunga, and Kalee rivers, where 

 (as in Gurhuual) the Khusiya name is Ragha ; the Bhotiyas, of Byans, call it 

 Woomun. In Central Kumaoon it is confined, as far as I have observed, to the great 

 mass of Bhutkot and Boora Pinnath, from about 7,000 to 9,000 feet, where it clothes 

 the sources of the Kosilla in a forest of unusual gloom and thickness," Coming from 

 such great elevations there can be no doubt but this majestic tree will be perfectly 

 hardy in the Middle if not our most Northern States. In foliage it is much larger 

 than the common Silver Fir, and of a deeper green. The shoots and whole plant is 

 robust, large and vigorous. 



Abies AVebbiaxa ; syn. Picea "Webbiaxa. — This near allay of Pindroio has been 

 much confused with it. To an ordinary observer there does not appear much differ- 

 ence ; yet the line of distinction is well defined. Dr. Griffith informs us : " This 

 species is rare below 9,500 feet; constitutes vast woods at 12,000 feet below the belt 

 of Rhododendrons in Bhotan, as on the Rodoola Pass. It has a tabular form, and 

 very sombre appearance, and can be recognized even at great distances by its black 

 columnar Palm-like appearance." Dr. Hoffmeister found it shooting up to one 

 hundred and fifty feet, and twenty-four feet in girth, along the great spurs south-east 

 of Reithal on the Bhagiruthee Ganges. Major E. Madden writes : " On the northern 

 side of the Shatooe Pass it forms most dense and extensive forest below the birch, at 

 Atting Wodar, and is even still more magnificent lower down, between the Ootulmai 

 Ghatee and Panwee village." " Notwithstanding the whiteness of the under face of 

 its leaves, the general effect of the Himalayan Silver Fir is exceedingly dark and 

 gloomy — more intense, indeed, than that of the Cypress, which, from any distance, it 

 a good deal resembles. The form has pretty nearly the tall columar outline of the 

 Pindrow, with boughs somewhat less bushy and pendulous ; on the whole, the long- 

 leaved, thorough -going black Pindrow must be pronounced the handsomer tree." Of 

 the hardiness of this, like the preceding {Pindrow), there can be little doubt. Coming 

 to us from such great elevations, judging from long experience of these trees grown 

 contiguous to many Californian and western coast species, I should pronounce them 

 much hardier than the latter. The winters of California are mild and humid — hence 

 the delicacy of many species from there ; but the species which come from high 

 altitudes, as well as from the extreme north-west coast, must in the Middle States be 

 perfectly at home. 



Abies pichta ; syn. Picea pichta. — This very pretty species is rather extensively 

 grown in England, where are to be found many handsome specimens, though none of 

 a very large size. It is very distinct and peculiar in its habit, and cannot well be 

 confounded with any other, * In the Middle and Northern States it is perfectly hardy. 

 A lofty tree. Native of the mountains of Siberia and the Altay. 



Abies orientalis. — If it is fair to judge from small specimens, I should say of this : 

 It has as dark foliage as our dark spruce, as long as the Norway, and forms as lofty a 

 tree, and as beautiful in every point as the latter. A question may be raised whether (^ 

 this tree is or is not hardy in the Middle States. Judging from whence it comes, a 



i&B^"' 



