212 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH AEBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



into growth than Picea pectinafa, it is hardier, grows more freely 

 when young, and for either use or ornament is certainly the most 

 valuable of the two. 



F. 2jcctmata (the Common Silver Fir) was introduced in 1603. 

 It is a native of Central Europe, and the north and west of Asia. 

 A mountain tree, rising to the zone of the Scots pine, and 

 often reaching a height of 150 feet. Its towering height and 

 stately figure are too well known to need description. It has been 

 found that a cubic foot of the wood of a full-grown tree when 

 green weighs 66 lbs. 14 oz., and when dry 37 lbs. 9 oz. In Britain 

 it is less hardy than the Norway fir, and requires a lower situation. 



Many interesting varieties of the Common Silver Fir have been 

 produced in this country, among which may be named F. p. tor- 

 tuosa, the branches of which are characteristically crooked and 

 twisted ; F. p. fastigiata, of an upright columnar habit ; F. p. 

 pendula, a fine weeping evergi-een tree ; F. p. variegata, and 

 P. p. nana, two pretty forms for the ornamentation of lawns. 



F. Pinsapo (the Spanish Silver Fir). — Introduced in 1839. 

 Habitat, the mountains in the north and middle of Spain. This 

 is a very fine ornamental tree, with beautiful silvery green foliage, 

 and, as it has a very dense habit of growth, it is suitable for 

 planting to hide any untidy or objectionable sight. 



P. religiosa (the Mexican Sacred Silver Fir). — Introduced in 

 1838. Habitat, Mexico, where it grows at altitudes of 8000 to 

 12,000 feet, and to a height of 100 to 150 feet, with a girth of 15 

 to 18 feet. It is easily distinguishable by the shortness of its 

 cones, which vexy much resemble those of the Cedar of Lebanon, 

 but are smaller. The hardiness of this tree has so far been doubt- 

 ful ; but ornamentally it is pleasing and attractive. 



P. sibirica (the Siberian Silver Fir). — Introduced in 1820. 

 Habitat, Siberia and the Altai Moxintains. This species only 

 succeeds well in damp stifi" land. The leaves are dark green above, 

 and silvery beneath, and, when shaken by the wind, they are very 

 attractive. 



Amongst other species worthy of a place in all collections, from 

 an ornamental point of view, are P. cilicia, the Cilician Silver 

 Fir ; P. Fraseri, Fraser's Silver Fir ; P. Pindrow, the Indian 

 Silver Fir ; P. Veitchii, Veitch's Fir ; P. Wehbiana, Captain Webb's 

 Silver Fir ; and several varieties of the species already mentioned, 

 all being of a highly ornamental character. 



The most of this family are fibrous-rooted, and should therefore 



