INTRODUCTION. 



Coniferae and Lycopodiaceae, or Club-mosses, with inter- 

 mediate allied forms. The third period presented much 

 the same disposition of vegetation as the present existing 

 forms. 



Dr. Buckland, in his Bridgewater Treatise on Ge- 

 ology, says: "The family which has most universally 

 pervaded every stage of vegetation is that of Coniferae, 

 increasing in the number and variety of its genera and 

 species at each successive change in the climate and con- 

 dition of the surface of the earth. This family forms 

 about one three-hundreth part of the total number of ex- 

 isting vegetables." 



The ancient writers frequently mention the existence of 

 the Coniferae, and used the Pines and Cedars as striking 

 illustrations of strength and durability. The Romans 

 used garlands of pine branches for crowning the victors in 

 their games, and the wood to form their funeral piles. 

 The cones and seeds were considered medicinal, and were 

 sought after for flavoring their wines. The rare graceful- 

 ness and artistic arrangement of many of the species 

 were used as models by the sculptor, and the timber was 

 employed for building purposes. According to Theophras- 

 tus, an early Greek writer, the wood of the pine was so 

 saturated with resin that it formed excellent torches, which 

 were used at the sacred ceremonies. 



The assertion of Pliny that the wood of the Larch never 

 creates a flame when burning, as well as that it never 

 flowers, is an error that leads us of the present day to 

 question whether he ever saw the tree. The same author 

 speaks of the preservative properties of the juice of the 

 Cedar, and states it was used in preparing mummies^ The 

 Cedar of Lebanon was considered by the profane writers 

 as symbolical of durability, but it is very probable that 

 other Conifers were known under this name. 



The wood of the Cypress was also held in great respect 

 by the ancients, and the branches employed in religious 

 1* 



