THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 199 



to denounce it; but there are so many better species to 

 substitute in its place, that we can part with it without 

 regret. For the first few years it is a model of beauty in 

 color and form, but as it nears maturity, and often before, 

 the lower limbs commence to decay, and thus the beauty 

 and symmetry of the tree are forever destroyed. 



Not withstanding all that has been said upon the subject, 

 and the advice from all well-intentioned dealers who are 

 aware of its peculiarities, together with facts staring them 

 everywhere in the face, a large majority of purchasers re- 

 quest this tree of the nurseryman in advance of any other, 

 and so long as there is a demand, it will continue to be 

 grown. We have always been sorry that the late A. J. 

 Downing commended it so highly in his Landscape Gar- 

 dening. 



A very aromatic liquid resin is obtained from this tree 

 by incisions made in the bark, and is called, very incor- 

 rectly, " Balm of Gilead," the name " Canada Balsam " be- 

 ing much more appropriate. The wood is light, yellowish, 

 and slightly resinous. This species was introduced into 

 England as early as the year 1697, by Bishop Compton. 



Var. longifolia, Booth. " Has leaves longer than the 

 sheaths, with the branches somewhat more upright. 

 (Loudon.} 



Var. variegata, Knight. Has yellowish leaves inter- 

 mixed with the usual color ; otherwise as the species. 



24. A. bracteata^-Hbo&er. LEAFY-BRACTED SILVER FIR. 

 Syn. Picea bracteata, Loudon. Leaves, 2 to 3 inches 

 long, linear, entire, crowded in two rows, flat, coriaceous, 

 rigid, light shining green above, silvery glaucous below. 

 Branches, in whorls, spreading, slender ; lower ones, de- 

 cumbent. Cones, 4 inches long, 2 inches in diameter, 

 ovate, on short peduncles, turgid, solitary, lateral, with 

 roundish, reniform, concave, crenulate, acute, persistent 

 scales ; bracts, wedge-shaped, rigid, coriaceous, trilobed 

 at apex, lateral lobes irregularly dentate, short and round- 



