HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES 121 



cone it varies to a wide extent. Usually the cones 

 are 4 inches long, but I have seen other specimens 

 from old and stunted trees that were not half 

 that length. It is of no particular value for 

 ornamental planting in this country, the oldest 

 and largest trees usually wearing a curiously dis- 

 torted appearance, that is mainly brought about 

 by the long, lithe, and twisted branches. 



P. Ayacahuite, Ehrenberg. Mexico, Guate- 

 mala. 1840. — This is a distinct and beautiful 

 species, reminding one, except in its longer foHage 

 and cones, of the better-known P. Strobus. The 

 branches are whorled and evenly arranged on 

 the stem, while the leaves, which are five in a 

 sheath, and of a desirable glaucous blue tinge, 

 are about 5 inches long and produced plentifully. 

 The cone is strikingly handsome ; that now before 

 me, a British-grown specimen, being 12 inches long 

 and 2 1 inches in diameter at the widest part. It 

 is cylindrical in shape, produced on a half-inch- 

 long foot-stalk, and of a warm, brownish yellow 

 colour. The scales are ovoid, sharply pointed with 

 the tips recurved. I am now fully convinced, 

 after seeing specimens in various parts of the 

 country, that the present species is far more hardy 

 than is generally supposed ; indeed, the localities 

 and conditions under which it at present succeeds 

 so well in this country are not such as would impress 

 one as being extra well suited for the cultivation 

 of tender plants. 



P. Balfouriana, Jeffrey, CaHfornia, Mountain 

 in Siskiyou County. 1852. — Although a distinct 

 and in many ways a remarkable species, yet, as 

 far as my own observations have extended, this 



