HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES 149 



numerous large branches at 5 feet or so from the 

 ground, the extremities being thickly beset with 

 foliage, the contour assumed being a bushy head 

 of rounded form. The leaves, two in a sheath, 

 are 4I inches long, and of a w^arm, rich olive-green 

 colour. Three years are required for the full 

 maturity of the cones, which are then of a light 

 reddish colour, 4 inches long by 3 inches in diameter. 

 The cone scales are stout, remarkably hard, and 

 with two large wingless seeds beneath each, these 

 being three-quarters of an inch long, and contain- 

 ing a sweet and agreeable kernel. In the younger 

 stages of growth the tree is somewhat tender. 

 Sandy or gravelly soil suits it well. From samples 

 of the wood of P. Pinea that I have had cut up, 

 both at Penrhyn Castle and Woburn Abbey, it 

 appears to be of fairly good quality, being light, 

 from the small quantity of resin it contains, and 

 in colour resembling the Yellow Pine of commerce. 

 P. PONDEROSA, Douglas, (Synonyms : P. 

 Benthamiana, Hartweg ; P. brachyptera, Engel- 

 mann ; P. Beardsleyi, Murray ; P. Craigiana, 

 Murray ; P. Parry ana, Gordon) British Columbia, 

 south and east, to Texas. 1827. — As an orna- 

 mental tree much cannot be said in favour of this 

 species, the rather lax and tortuous branches, long 

 foliage, and generally gaunt appearance imparting 

 to it more of the picturesque than the beautiful. 

 The leaves, which are almost wholly confined to 

 the branch extremities, are somewhat rigid, vary- 

 ing in length from 8 inches to 12 inches, and of a 

 dark glaucous green colour. Cones small and 

 ovoid, about 5 inches long, and the scales terminat- 

 ing in short stiff spines. Generally hardy. 



