CHAP. cxin. 



CONi'fER/E. Pl^NUS. 



2275 



without wings, and having, probably from abortion, a very hard 

 shell, containing an eatable, oily, white kernel, agreeable to the 

 taste. Cotyledons 11 to 13 (seeJig.2iS9.). A native of Swit- 

 zerland and Siberia ; flowering in May, and ripening its cones in 

 the November of the following year. Introduced in 1746. 



Va)-ieties. 



i P. C. 1 sibirica ; P. Chnhra Lodd. Cat., ed. 1837; Kedr, 

 Pall. ; Cedar of some authors ; the Siberian Stone Pine, 

 or Siberian Cedar, Hort. — The cones are said to be 

 longer, and the scales larger, than in the Swiss variety ; 

 the leaves are, also, rather shorter ; and the plant is of 

 much slower growth in England. According to Pallas, 

 this is a lofty tree, and not found beyond the Lena. In 

 general appearance, it resembles P. sylv(;stris, but is more 

 tufted, from the branches being thinner, and from the -t" ^ 

 number and length of the persistent leaves. Trunk 2189 

 straight, often 120 ft. high, and 3 ft. in diameter near the b ase 

 in old trees, naked till near the top. Bark smoother, greyer, and 



ll 



more resinous than in P. sylvestris. Branches commonly disposed 

 3 or 4 in a whorl, sometimes scattered, more slender and spreading 

 than in the Scotch pine; covered with a greyish ash-coloured 

 furrowed bark, marked by the cicatrices of the fallen leaves. Leaver 

 7 H 3 



