GTMXOSPEEMIA. 



663 



Americanum or Common Frankincense, is also obtained from P. palustris 

 aud P. Tceda. The oleo-resin turpentine yields by distillation the es- 

 sential oil, called oil of turpentine, and j-ellow and black resin. P. Pin- 

 aster also yields Bordeaux turpentine and Gallipot tar. Pin us sylrestris, 

 the Scotch Fir, also produces some turpentine, and the wood of this 

 and other species of Pinus yields by destructive distillation, wood-tar, 

 and pitch ; and Creasote is a product of the distillation of "Wood Tar. 

 The inner bark of the Scotch Fir is used ia Norway for maldng bark 

 bread. From the leaves also of this species the substance called Pine* 

 wool or Fir-wool is prepared. It is used for stuffing mattresses, &c. ; 

 it is said to be repulsive to vermin. "Wadding for medical use, and 

 cloth for various articles of dress, kc. are also manufactru-ed from these 

 leaves. An oily substance, caUed fir wool oil or fir wool spirit, has also 

 been introduced into this country from Germany, and recommended for 

 external use in rheumatism, neuralgia, &c. Paper of good quality is now 

 made from the wood of this and some other species of Pinus aud Abies. 

 (See Abies excelsa.) P. Pinea, the Stone Pine, has edible seeds, which are 

 used as a dessert under the name of pine-nuts. P. Cembra, the Siberian 

 Stone Pine, has also edible seeds. The young shoots by distillation yield the 

 so-caUed Carpathian balsam. P. Pumilio, the Mugho or Mountain Pine, 

 produces by spontaneous exudation an oleo-resin called Htmgarian balsam. 

 Pinus Geradiana, found in Thibet and Affghanistan, has edible seeds, P. 

 longifolia, an Himalayan species, yields a very good turpentine. 



Natural Order 239. Taxacejs.— The Yew Order {figs. 1027, 

 1028). — Character. — Trees or shrubs, with continuous bran- 

 ches, ie^i'g^^ usually nar- 

 row, rigid, and reinless ; Fig. 1027. Fig. 1028. 

 sometimes broad, with 

 forked veins. Flowers 

 unisexual, naked, brac- 

 teated. Male flowers 

 several together, each 

 with one or several sta- 

 mens, which are united 

 {fig. 1027) or distinct; 

 anthers bursting longi- 

 tudinally. Female flowers 

 solitary, and consisting 

 of a single naked ovule, 

 which is either terminal, 

 or placed in the axil of a 

 bract. Seed small, en- 

 veloped in a cup-shaped, 

 fleshy mass {figs. 709 and 

 1028, «r), albuminous {fig. 1028, alb); embryo straight {fig. 



1028, i^O- 



Distribution, ^c. — Natives of the mountains of tropical coun- 

 tries, and of temperate regions. Examples of the Genera : — 

 Taxus, Salisburia. There are about 50 species. 



Properties and Uses. — In their general properties they re- 

 semble the Pinacese. 



Dacrydium.—D. FrankUnii, the Huon Pine of Australia.— The wood is 



Fig. 1027.— Male flower of the Common Tew 

 (Toxics buccata), with numerous mouadelph- 



ous stamens. Fig. 1028. Vertical section uf 



theseed of thesame. ar. The succulent cup- 

 shaped mass which envelopes the seed. 

 pi. Embryo, alb. Albumen, cli. Chalaza. 

 mi. Micropyle. 



