14 THE BOOK OF EVEKGREENS. 



and thus be enabled to trace any particular tree or plant 

 to a description in this work. 



The order is subdivided into three sub-orders, or sub- 

 families, which are, by some botanists, given the rank of 

 orders. 



The sub-order Abietince, or Pine sub-family, are all large 

 sized trees, growing mostly in a conical form, and having 

 large, spreading, roots, and horizontal branches with droop- 

 ing branchlets. The members of this group all have ev- 

 ergreen or persistent leaves, excepting the Larch, (Larix^) 

 with both sterile and fertile catkins, usually on the same 

 tree but on different branches. The cones, or strobiles, 

 which form the main point in distinguishing the sub-or- 

 ders, are in this very much alike in structure, although 

 differing greatly in size and shape. Seeds, mostly edible, 

 resinous and oily, the embryo with from 2 to 12 cotyle- 

 dons. Buds, scaly. 



The sub-order, Cupressince, has, with few exceptions, 

 smaller sized trees or shrubs. They are all evergreen ex- 

 cept the Taxodiums and Glyptostrobus, with generally a 

 conical form, which, in many instances, approaches the fas- 

 tigiate. The cones of this group are smaller than those in 

 the foregoing, and are composed of dry scales, excepting 

 in the Junipers, which are drupe-like berries at maturity. 

 Buds, naked. 



The Third sub-order, Taxinece, or Yew sub-family, is 

 very distinct from the others, and is by many botanists 

 separated from the Conifers. The species belonging to 

 this are about equally divided between the medium-sized 

 and smaller class of trees, and produce in fruit a naked 

 drupe, or, in some instances, a fleshy, drupe-like berry. 

 Buds, scaly. 



No known order of plants presents such a diversity of 

 size as that of the Conifers. From the humble, trailing 

 shrub, it embraces trees of every size to the lordly Sequoia 

 gigantea of 300 feet in height. Every shade and tint of 



