No. 6.] G. M. DAWSON — BRITISH COLUMBIA TREES. 329 



eighty feet in height with a diameter of two to three feet, but is 

 generally most abundant in situations inaccessible to the lumberer. 

 The wood is coming into use for some purposes. It is not con- 

 sidered equal to that of the eastern white pine {P. strohus) which 

 it resembles. The Indians collect and eat the seeds of this tree. 



Chamcecyparls Nutkaensis, Lamb. Yellow cypress. Commonly 

 ■known as the yellow cedar. This tree is confined to the vicinity 

 of the coast and adjacent islands. It is found in the vicinity of 

 Burrard Inlet on the slopes of the mountains, several hundred 

 feet above the sea level. Further north it descends to the coast. 

 It occurs in the interior of Vancouver Island, and is abundant 

 in some parts on the Queen Charlotte Islands, particularly on 

 the west coast. It often exceeds six feet in diameter. This wood 

 is as yet comparatively unknown in commerce, but is strong, free 

 and of fine grain, with a pale golden yellow tint and a slight 

 peculiar resinous smell. It is very durable and has been used to 

 a limited extent in boat-building and for various ornamental 

 purposes. 



Larix occidentalism L. Western larch. Is found in the Rocky 

 mountains and in the valleys of the Selkirk and Gold Ranges, its 

 limit there beins; co-extensive with that of abundant rainfall. 

 Stretches westward nearly to the head of Okanagan Lake. Not 

 found on the coast. The timber is said to be strong and durable 

 l3ut coarse. 



A species of larch, which from imperfect specimens submitted 

 to him Dr. Engelmann supposes to be L. America, occurs abun- 

 dantly in swampy spots on the Peace River plateau and on the 

 Athabasca. 



Taxus hrevifolia, Nutt. Yew. Occurs on Vancouver Island, 

 and on the shores of the mainland adjacent, attaining sometimes 

 a diameter of two feet. Not found, or very sparingly in the 

 Queen Charlotte Islands. A very tough hard wood of beautiful 

 rose color, employed for various ornamental purposes. Formerly 

 used by the Indians in making bows, spear handles, fish-hooks &c. 



Junipcrus virgitiiana, L. Juniper, red cedar, savin. Has 

 been observed assumius; an arboreal form alono; the shores of 

 Kamloops, Frangois and other lakes, and elsewhere, with a dia- 

 meter of about a foot. Commonly known as pencil cedar. 



