THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 203 



ing in the edge of a wood where the plant has been much 

 shaded ; a more open and better locality might have pro- 

 duced different results. Its hardiness is beyond a doubt. 



Var, Hndsonica, Knight. Is a very pretty dwarf plant 

 that will perhaps not exceed four feet in height, although 

 we have seen a specimen 15 years planted that has attain- 

 ed the above size, and is still vigorous and increasing. 



It is remarkably dense and compact, and of a beautiful 

 deep green color, agreeably diversified with the glaucous- 

 ness of the under side of the leaves. It was discovered in 

 the vicinity of Hudson's Bay. We take great pleasure 

 in directing attention to this little variety, believing it 

 will meet the wants of our planters in general. 



27* A. Iiobilis, Lindley. NOBLE SILVER FIR. Syn. 

 Picea nobilis, London Pinus nobilis, Douglas. Leaves, 

 If inches long, linear, falcate, mostly acute, crowded, com- 

 pressed, deep green above, glaucous below. Branches, 

 horizontal, spreading, and numerous. Cones, from 6 to 7 

 inches long, and from 8 to 9 inches in circumference, cyl- 

 indrical, sessile, with large, incurved, stipulate, and entire 

 scales ; bracts, large, reflexed, imbricated, spathulate, 

 with terminal, awl-shaped points. Seeds, oblong, with a 

 coriaceous testa, and broad, pale colored wings. 



The Noble Silver Fir, as its specific name implies, is one 

 of the most magnificent productions of our hemisphere. 

 Douglas says of it: "This singular species is a majestic 

 tree, forming vast forests on the mountains of Northern 

 California, and produces timber of an excellent quality." 

 He adds : " I spent three weeks in a forest composed of 

 this tree, and day by day could not cease to admire it." 



Along the banks .of the Columbia Kiver, and on the 

 mountains of Northern California, as well as other locali- 

 ties on our northwestern coast, these trees flourish and 

 grow to an immense size. Jeffrey mentions finding speci- 

 mens 200 feet in height and four feet in diameter, grow- 

 ing on the Shasta Mountains at an elevation of from 6,000 



