BOTANY. 



51 



the cone now figured, were much smaller, covering only a very small portion of the surface of 

 the cone ; and the characteristic appearance of the cone of P. nobilis was entirely lost. The 

 leaves, scales, seeds, and wings were similar to those figured. 



It is, perhaps, possible that the differences in the leaves and cones of my specimens and those 

 before described are sufficent to constitute a new species ; but as the general resemblance is 

 striking, and I have no authenticated specimens of P. nobilis with which to compare them, it is 

 perhaps better to wait till more material has been collected, which shall settle the question 

 beyond the possibility of doubt. Several surveying parties will traverse the country occupied 

 by P. nobilis within a few months, and they will doubtless supply our deficiencies in this 

 respect. An abundance of excellent seeds were obtained from the cones I have mentioned ; and 

 should they germinate, the plants raised from them will soon give us an opportunity of study- 

 ing the tree at leisure. 



The general aspect of P. nobilis is somewhat like that of P. amabilis, though the foliage is 

 of a lighter green, the leaves and branches more rigid and less graceful. The leaves are so 

 stiff and sharp that they prick the skin like needles. The value of the wood for timber I had 

 no opportunity of determining, but it is probably inferior to that of the Douglas spruce or 

 halsam fig. 



Picea amabilis. The western silver fir. 



Pinus amabilis, Dougl. in Loud. Arboret 4, p. 2342, Jigs. 2247 and 2248. 



Abies amabilis, Pinetum Woburnense, t. 44. 



Fig. 18. 

 Fig. 18. Cone and branch of P. amabilis, one-half natural size; 

 Fig. 18a, b, c, d, leaf, scale, and seed of same, natural size. 



This heautiful and distinct species has been generally confounded with P. grandis, as men- 

 tioned in the description of that species. This mistake would never have occurred if Douglas 



