GT3IIS OSPERMI A . 639 



Division of the Order, and Examples of the Genera. — This 

 order has been divided into two sub-orders as follows : — 



Sub-Order 1. Abietece. — Ovules inverted, with the micropyle 

 next the base of the carpel (fig. 709). Pollen oval. Examples: 

 — Finns, Abies, Araucaria, Eutassa, Dammara. 



Sub-Order 2. Cupressece. — Ovules erect. Pollen spheroidal. 

 Examples: — Juniperus, Thuja, Cupressus, WeUingtonia, 

 Taxodium. 



Distribution, 8fc. — The plants of this order occur in various 

 parts of the world, both in cold and tropical regions. They 

 abound, however, most in temperate climates. There are about 

 30 genera, and 120 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They possess very important properties. 

 Many supply valuable timber, and most of the species contain an 

 oleo-resinous juice or turpentine, which is composed of a volatile 

 oil and resin. 



Pinus. — Several species of this genus are vRluable timber trees ; as P. syl- 

 vestris, the Scotch Pir, which yields the timber known as Dantzic or Riga 

 Fir, and Russian Deal; P. S/ro6ws, the White Pine or Deal of the United States; 

 P. mitis and P.palustris, the Yellow Pine or Deal; P. rigida, P. Lambertiana, 

 &c. &c. The wood of these trees is used to an enormous extent in this country 

 and elsewhere. Pinus sylvestris, the Wild Fine or Scotch Fir, is the source 

 of Common Turpentine ; this yields by distillation an essential oil, called o// 

 of turpentine, or spirits or essence of turpentine, and yellow and black resin. 

 The wood also yields by destructive distillation, trood-tar, and pitch. The 

 inner bark of the Scotch Fir is used in Norway for making bark bread. From 

 the leaves also of this species the substance called Pine-wool or Fir-wool is 

 prepared. It is used for stuflSng mattresses, &c. It is said to be repulsive to 

 vermin. An oily substance called tir wool oil and fir wool spirit, has also been 

 recently introduced into this country from Germany, and recommended for ex- 

 ternal use in rheumatism, neuralgia, &c. P. Pinaster of Lambert, the P. 

 maritima of De Candolle, the Cluster Pine, yields Bordeaux turpentine, Gali- 

 pot tar, and pitch. P. paliistris, the Swamp Pine or Long-leaved Pine, 

 *' furnishes by far the greater proportion of turpentine, tar, &c. consumed 

 in the United States, or sent from thence to other countries." P. Tceda, the 

 Frankincense Pine, also yields turpentine. P. Pinea, the Stone Pme, h«s 

 edible seeds, which are used as a dessert under the name oi pine-nuts. P. 

 Cembra, the Siberian Stone Pine, has also edible seeds. The young shoots by- 

 distillation yield the so-called Carpathian balsam. P. Pumilio, the Mughoor 

 Mountain Pine, yields by spontaneous exudation an oleo-resin called Hunga- 

 rian balsam. Ptnus Geradiana found in Thibet and Affghaiiistan, yields edible 

 seeds. P. Inngifolia, an Himalayan species, according to Royie, yields a very 

 fine turpentine. 



Abies.— ?>e\ev?i\. species of this genus, like those of the former, supply valuable 

 timber, as Abies excelsa, the Spruce Fir, Spruce or Dantzic Deal, Abies alba, 

 the White Spruce, A. canadensis, the Hemlock Spruce, A. Larix or Larix 

 europcea, the Common Larch, &c. Abies excelsa, Norway Spruce Fir, yields 

 by spontaneous exudation Common Frankincense or 'J'hus, which is used in 

 pharmacy in the preparation of Burgundy Pitch. Good paper has been made 

 from the wood of this species. The leaf-buds are u^ed on the Continent in 

 the preparation of a kind of beer and tincture which are employed in scorbutic 

 and rheumatic complaints. A. Balsamea. the Canadian Balsam or Balm of 

 Gilead 1-ir, yields Canada Balsam. A. canadensis, the Hemlock Spruce Fir, 

 is said to exude an olfo-resin similar to Canada Balsam. A. Picea, the Silver 

 Fir, yields Strasbourgh turpentine. Its leaf-buds, like those of A. excelsa, 

 are employed in the preparation of a kind of beer, which is used for similar 

 purposes. A. nigra, the Black Spruce Fir — The young branches of this when 

 boiled in water, and the solution afterwards concentrated, forms Essence of 

 Spruce, which is employed iu the preparation of Spruce Beer. A. Larix of 

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