217 



flat scale. In the former case it is probable that the stamens are really mona-: 

 delphous ; an hypothesis which appears to derive confirmation from Ephedra, 

 in one species of which, ,E. altissima, they are solitary, while in the common 

 species they are manifestly monadelphous. In Araucaria, and such genera 

 as agree with it in structure, the anthers may be considered to consist of an 

 uncertain number of lobes, and in this respect to recede from the usual struc- 

 ture of the stamens of plants : in Conifcrae, the anthers of which are normal, 

 we have 2 ; in Ephedra, 4 ; in Juniperus, the like number ; in Cunninghamia, 

 but 3; in Agathis, 14 ; and in Araucaria, from 12 to 20. Mr. Brown remarks, 

 what is certainly very remarkable, that in Cunninghamia the lobes of the an- 

 ther agree in number, as well as insertion and direction, with the ovula ! 

 King's Appendix, 32. .It would almost appear, from Mr. Brown's remarks 

 upon Gnetum or Thoa, that he considers that singular genus related to Coniferse. 

 But, independently of its very different habit, I confess it does not seem to me 

 certain that its ovula are naked, as Mr. Brown supposes : on the contrary, as 

 the nucleus has three coatings, I should rather understand the external at least 

 as analogous to a carpellum, if the two others are allowed to belong to the 

 ovulum, which I think admits of some degree of doubt. Coniferse occupy a 

 position, as it were, intermediate between Cellulares and Vasculares, approxi- 

 mating almost equally to each, connected with the former through Lycopodiacese, 

 and with the latter by the intervention of Myriceee and Cupuliferse, Salicinea?, 

 and Betulinese. With Lycopodiacese they agree in the general aspect of the 

 leaves and stems of several species, and in the nearly total absence, or at least 

 very imperfect formation, of spiral vessels ; with all the latter in their amenta- 

 ceous inflorescence, but especially with Myricese, which are both amentaceous 

 and resinous. But their most immediate relation is undoubtedly with Cycadese, 

 the following order, as is there explained. The aspect of CalUtris is so much 

 that of Equisetum and Casuarina, that it is difficult to doubt an affinity also 

 existing between them. 



Geography. Natives of various parts of the world, from the perpetual 

 snows and inclement climate of arctic America, to the hottest regions of the 

 Indian Archipelago. The principal part of the order is found in temperate 

 climates ; in Europe, Siberia, China, and the temperate parts of North Ame- 

 rica, the species are exceedingly abundant, and have an aspect very different 

 from that of the southern hemisphere. In the former we have various species 

 of Pines, the Larch, the Cedar, the Spruce, and the Juniper ; the place of 

 which is supplied hi the latter by Araucarias, Podocarpuses, Dammars, and 

 Dacrydiums. 



Properties. No order can be named of more universal importance to 

 mankind than this, whether we view it with reference to its timber or its secre- 

 tions. Gigantic in size, rapid in growth, noble in aspect, robust in constitution, 

 these trees form a considerable proportion of every wood or plantation in culti- 

 vated countries, and of every forest where nature remains in a savage state. 

 Their timber, in commerce, is known under the names of Deal, Fir, Pine, and 

 Cedar, and is principally the wood of the Spruce, the Larch, the Scotch Fir, 

 the Weymouth Pine, and the Virginian Cedar ; but others arc of at least 

 equal, if not greater, value : the Norfolk Island Pine is an immense tree, 

 known to botanists as Araucaria excelsa ; the Kawrie Tree of New Zealand, 

 or Dammara australis, attains the height of 200 feet, and yields a light com- 

 pact wood, free from knots ; the Dacrydium taxifolium, or Kakaterro, equals 

 this in stature. Ed. Ph. Journ. 13. 37S. But they are both surpassed by 

 the stupendous Pines of northwest America, one of which, P. Lambertiana, 

 is reported to attain the height of 230 feet, and the other, P. Douglasii (qu. 

 Pin us taxifolia ?), to equal or even to exceed it. The latter is probably the 

 most valuable of the whole for its timber. Their secretions consist of various 



