p. RESINOSA 59 



and leaves, which are given in the Table, are charac- 

 teristics which all help to solve the problem of identity. 

 The few^ specimens of the P. Densiflora that we 

 have come across in this part of the world appear as 

 if they might have been aptly called Densifolia, on 

 account of the remarkable density of their foliage. 

 The branchlets in their equipment remind one of a 

 half-clipped tail of a poodle dog, with a cultivated 

 and thick tuft at the extremity. 



P. Resinosa is cited as the S. American repre- 

 sentative of our P. Laricio, with these differences : it 

 has a longer basal sheath and marginal resin canals. 

 Both of them, be it observed, rather occult differences, 

 that only appeal to the few^ rather than to the many. 

 One point that, however, may appeal to the many 

 is that it is most improbable that they will come 

 across it in England. It has earned the reputation 

 of being unsuitable to our country. 



There is one question we suggest for consideration 

 without attempting to make satisfactory answ^er as 

 to these " alternates " of other countries. Contro- 

 versy has often been rife upon the probable single or 

 multiple origin of many of the beasts of creation. 

 I do not know what may be the views of the learned 

 as to the single and common, or the multiple and 

 independent origin of Conifers, or even the single and 

 multiple origin of these similarities of species ; but if 

 P. Laricio and its affinities, P. Leucodermis, Sylves- 

 tris, Thunbergii, Densiflora, Resinosa, inter alia, 

 had once a single origin, and then were scattered to 

 the four corners of the earth by the four winds of 

 heaven and other agencies, and if after that they 

 showed first slight and then gradually growing 

 changes in process of evolution, according to their 

 different environments, what are we to expect in the 

 way of improved commercial timber, by retrans- 



