72 ABIES, OR SILVER FIRS 



should have considered, rather more of an orange 

 than brown colour as generally described, and as for 

 the prominences of their slightly fissured surface, they 

 are more after the manner of eminences in the roads 

 of fenlands, where the gradients are so obscure that 

 surveyors can hardly put a figure to them, and 

 travellers in their locomotive experiences fail to 

 observe them. The leaves are thicker nearer the 

 base than are those of the Cephalonica, which are 

 markedly narrowed. On both they appear as if 

 situated upon little green plinths, or stands, and when 

 detached leave behind the orthodox round scar of 

 the Abies. 



While the stomata of the Pinsapo are pretty clear 

 to the naked eye, the Cephalonica stomata on the 

 upper side call for the use of the magnifying-glass to 

 bring them into notice. Both trees merit the universal 

 recommendation to plant bestowed upon them by 

 the authorities. 



GROUP II 



A. Bracteata, Grandis, Lowiana, Firma, Homo- 

 LEPis, Brachyphylla, Pectinata, Webbiana, 

 Balsamea, Fraseri 



Group II consists of Silver Firs that are described 

 as V-shaped, while the members of Group III are 

 credited with median leaves arranged on the upper 

 side of the shoot. 



The first thing to accomplish a mastery over is : 

 what is meant by and what constitutes a V-shaped 

 depression, and what appearance the Group III 

 described as possessed of median leaves on the top 

 presents, and even what is meant by median leaves 

 and where do they come in in the story. We will 

 try to briefly explain them both. 



