128 THE BOOK OP EVERGREENS. 



the Cembrau Pine, as we have seen, will grow in the 

 poorest soils and in the most elevated and exposed situa- 

 tions where no other pine or fir will exist, yet it will 

 not grow rapidly except in a free soil, somewhat deep, and 

 in a dry subsoil." 



The timber is fine-grained and very soft, thus allowing 

 of its extensive use for carving, and, in some sections of 

 Switzerland, it is in demand for the manufacture of toys of 

 various kinds, especially among the Helvetian shepherds. 

 It also furnishes a liberal supply of fragrant resin. 



Var, Sibirica, London. Pallas says this form is not 

 found beyond the Lena, and is a lofty tree. It differs from 

 the species in having shorter and lighter green leaves ; al- 

 so, producing longer cones, with larger scales. It resem- 

 bles somewhat the Scotch Pine, but has a smoother and 

 grayer bark. It is a native of Eastern Siberia, and has, 

 like the species, large, edible seeds. 



Var, pygmaea, Fischer. Syn. var. pumila, Endlicher, 

 etc., etc. This is a handsome and desirable little dwarf, 

 seldom exceeding 2 or 3 feet in height, although old speci- 

 mens are known that are 5 or 6 feet high. It has very 

 short leaves, small, roundish cones, and small seeds. The 

 native habitat of this variety is on rocky eminences and 

 dry, sterile spots, which $ in many instances, are almost de- 

 void of other vegetation. Loudon says : " There is a plant 

 at Dropmore which has been twenty years planted, and, in 

 1837, was not more than six inches high, which we pre- 

 sume to be this variety. The same may be said of a tree 

 in Hopetoun Gardens, near Edinburgh, said to be upwards 

 of 100 years old, and which, in 1836, measured only 5 

 feet 6 inches high." 



33, P. excelsa, Wattich. BHOTAN PINE. Syn. P. 

 Strobus excelsa, Loudon, etc. Leaves, from 5 to 7 inches 

 long ; with short, caducous, imbricated, membranaceous 

 sheaths ; slender, mucronate, crowded, glaucous green 



