

THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 131 



very closely allied. But the latter is decidedly inferior in 

 point of beauty, the Bhotan Pine having much longer 

 and more glaucous leaves, as well as a more dense and 

 compact habit of growth. In fact, these two species ap- 

 proach very nearly to each other in a botanical classifica- 

 tion, the main point of distinction being, according to 

 Lambert, in the crest of the anthers. 



We have occasionally also seen the White Pine blast in 

 the same manner as this species, especially when growing 

 very luxuriantly in a rich, deep soil ; but the propensity 

 for vigorous, unripened growth is more marked in P. 

 excelsa, and therefore the remarks in Sargent's late edition 

 of Downing's Landscape Gardening, in regard to this 

 characteristic, are worthy of much respect. The idea of 

 that author is precisely similar to that which has been 

 forced upon us by experience. Some attribute the early 

 decay of this tree to the presence of some of the wood- 

 boring insects, but although we have known instances 

 where such was the case, we believe them to be rare. 



The great difference in soil and situation has caused a 

 dissimilarity in the growth of this species, so that varie- 

 ties with shorter or more rigid leaves have been fre- 

 quently introduced as distinct; but these have all very 

 properly been placed under the species. 



The P. excelsa furnishes a soft, compact, and white lum- 

 ber, very similar to the P. /Strobus, but perhaps not so 

 valuable, owing to the abundance of resin. The turpen- 

 tine extracted from the wood is very copious, exceedingly 

 fragrant, and useful. It is said to be so pure and limpid 

 that the slightest incision in the tree causes it to flow freely. 



34. P. flexilis, James. AMERICAN CEMBRAN PINE. 

 Leaves, from 1-J- to 2 inches long, rarely 3 inches long, 

 from lanceolate, deciduous sheaths, rigid, entire, acute, 

 densely crowded. Cones, sub-cylindric, tapering to the 

 end, from 4 to 5 inches long, 2 inches in diameter, short 

 peduncled, semi-pendulous (Dr. Parry,) clustered. Scales, 



