FOREST-TREES OF THE UNITED STATES. 3& 



is used extensively for coarse building purposes, and also for masts and 

 spars for ship-building. The wood has a peculiar red color, and spikes, 

 nails, and bolts hold firm, and never corrode in the timber. 



No. 385. Abies Fraseri, Pursh. Eraser's Balsam. Alleghauy Mount- 

 ains. This species inhabits the highest parts of the Alieghanies, in 

 North Carolina. It is said to be a small tree, ranging from 20 to 50 

 feet in height. The cones resemble those of A. nobilis in miniature. 



No. 386. Abies nobilis, Lind. The Noble Fir. Oregon. This is one 

 of the magnificent conifers of our country. It is a majestic tree, forming 

 vast forests on the mountains of Northern California and Oregon. The 

 Indians give it the name of Big Tree. The timber is said to be of ex- 

 cellent quality. It is nearly related to A. Fraseri, but has cones five 

 times as large. 



No. 387. Abies bracteata, Hook. Bracted-coned Spruce. Oregon. 

 This species grows on the higher mountains of Oregon. It was also 

 found by Dr. Coulter in Southern California. It is little known. The 

 cones are very curious and remarkable, being handsomely fringed by 

 long leaf-like bracts, entirely different from those of any other species. 



No. 388. Larix Americana, Michx. American Larch. New England 

 to Wisconsin. This species is seldom found so far south as Virginia ; 

 its favorite localities being the New England States, Northern New 

 York, westward to Wisconsin, and northward to Canada. In Canada, 

 it is called Hackmatack ; in some portions of New England and New 

 Jersey, Tamarack. The quality of the wood is represented as being 

 superior to any kind of pine or spruce. 



No. 389. Larix Lyallii, Parl. LyalFs Larch. Oregon. 



No. 390. Larix occidentalis, Nutt. Western Larch. Oregon. Mr. 

 Dufur says this species is found abundantly in the Blue Mountains in 

 Eastern Oregon, also well up in the Cascade and Coast Ranges, but sel- 

 dom at an elevation of less than 3,000 feet. It is often found 250 feet 

 high, and attains a diameter of 5 feet, frequently being found 200 feet to 

 the first limb. The timber is very strong and durable, free to split, 

 and used for all kinds of fencing and coarse building. 



No. 391. Torreya taxifolia, Am. -Yew-leaved Torreya. Florida. A 

 .small tree from 20 to 4(i feet high, found on the east bank of the Apa- 

 lachicola River in Florida. It is called by the inhabitants Stinking Yew, 

 from the unpleasant odor of the bruised leaves. The genus was named 

 in honor of Dr. John Torrey, the late eminent botanist of New York. 

 It is considered to be a very ornamental evergreen in cultivation. 



No. 392. Torreya Californica, Torr. California Nutmeg-tree. Cali- 

 fornia. This species grows near the coast in California. It sometimes 

 attains the height of 60 feet, with a trunk 4 feet in diameter, but is 

 usually a round-headed, small, compact tree, 20 to 40 feet high. The 

 timber is said to be heavy and fine-grained. It is, like the preceding, 

 called the Stinking Yew, from the unpleasant odor of the bruised leaves. 

 The seeds have a rugose and mottled appearance, resembling a nutmeg, 

 whence the name. 



No. 393. Taxus brevifolia, Nutt. Short-leaved Yew. California and 

 Oregon. A tree of California and Orgon, varying much in height in 

 different localities. Dr. Newberry saw it forming an upright tree 50 to 

 75 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Mr. Dufur says it is found 

 on the lowlands of Willamette Valley, is of slow growth, and seldom 

 attains a height of 12 to 20 feet and a diameter of a foot. It is very 

 scarce in all parts of Oregon. The small, red berries remain on the tree 

 till late in the fall, and are used for food by the Indians. The wood is 



