114 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



ifornian P. Torreyana, Parry, where the wing, besides, 

 is very thick and of a corky substance. The great vari- 

 ability in the number of leaves in the nut-pines proves that 

 sectional characters taken from them are without value." 



22. P, Gerardiana, Wallich GERARD'S PINE. Syn. 

 P. Neosa, G-ovan. Leaves, from 3|- to 5 inches long ; 

 from a short, deciduous, scaly sheath; rigid, crowded, 

 glaucous-green color. Cones, 8 inches long, and 5 inches 

 broad, ovate, resinous ; with broad, thick, corky, recurv- 

 ed scales, terminating in a stout spine. Seeds, large, 

 cylindrical, pointed, dark brown color, almost wingless, 

 and edible. 



This beautiful tree was discovered by Capt. P. Gerard, 

 in whose honor it was named by Dr. Wallich. It is 

 a native of the Himalayas, and is found " on the northern 

 side of the Snowy range of mountains in Kunawur, beyond 

 the influence of the periodical rains, where it grows in 

 very dry rocky ground. It is also found to the north of 

 Cashmere, and on the Astor Mountains, in Little Tibet." 

 Capt. Gerard mentions its highest limits on the inner Him- 

 alayas to be from 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Its height is 

 about 50 feet, and in congenial soil, with proper space to 

 develop its peculiar beauty, it becomes a regular, dense, 

 conical tree. The seeds, like those of the foregoing spe- 

 cies, are large and nut-like, very abundant, and highly 

 prized by the inhabitants. The Arabs and Persians have 

 bestowed the name of " Sonoubar Sukkar," or the " Sweet 

 Pine-nut," upon it, owing to this property. 



Although it is very distinct from the P. longifolia in 

 many and very essential particulars, it was nevertheless 

 frequently confounded with the latter species by early 

 writers. The cones of the two resemble each other very 

 closely, and on this account the confusion evidently 

 arose in the first instance, as many of the first plants 

 raised in England for P. G-erardiana have since proven 

 to be P. longifolia. 



