196 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



tion of this sub-genus we have adopted the plan pursued 

 by Endlicher and Gordon, of dividing it into two distinct 

 groups, viz. : Bracteata, and Brevibracteata / the former 

 with the bracts projecting beyond the scales, and the lat- 

 ter having them enclosed or shorter than the scales. 



GROUP 1. KRACTJEATA. 



22 1 A, Apollinis, Link. APOLLO SILVER FIR. Syn. 

 Picea Apollinis, Hauch / A. Reginae Amaliae, Heldreich, 

 etc. Leaves, from ^ to 1 inch in length, linear, flat and 

 obtuse, or lanceolate and acute, larger leaves slightly glau- 

 cous beneath, smaller ones quite glaucous below, the former 

 on the adult branches very numerous, whilst the latter on 

 the young branchlets are more scattered and much narrow- 

 er. Male catkins in groups, surrounding the summits of 

 the adult, sessile shoots. Cones, axillary, solitary, erect, 

 very resinous on the surface, and similar to those of A. 

 CepTialonica in size and shape ; scales, 1 inch or more 

 wide, incurved, and rounded on the upper margin ; bracts 

 projecting beyond the scales, ear-shaped, flat, reflexed, 

 mucro'nate, and lacerated laterally on the edges, and with 

 a long, central, reflected point. (Extracted from Gordon's 

 description.) 



This Silver Fir, which was described by Gordon in his 

 first edition of the Pinetum, as a synonym of Picea Cepha,- 

 lonica, has been in his supplement to the work assigned to 

 the position of a species, but we are fearful, without suffi- 

 cient grounds. The fructification, which is usually the most 

 unerring guide in determining these questions, is so nearly 

 alike in the two, as to be scarcely distinguishable, if at all ; 

 and in young plants that have fallen under our own ob- 

 servation, no distinction could be perceived. 



As the plants increase in age and present a more mature 

 aspect, the case may be different, and the differences be- 



