35 



according to locality. It is admirably adapted for all ordinary purposes 

 of construction and for shipbuilding, remaining sound in water for a long 

 time. For spars and masts it is unsurpassed both as to strength, 

 straightness and length. Masts for export are hewn octagonally from 

 twenty to thirty -two inches in diameter and 60 to 100 in. length, whilst 

 on special orders they have been cut 42 inches by 120 feet, and yards 12 

 to 24 inches by 50 to 120 feet long. These are generally sent to Great 

 Britain. 



WESTERN HEMLOCK (Tsuga Mertensiana) occurs everywhere in the vici- 

 nity of the coast, and up the Fraser and other rivers to the limit of the 

 region of abundant rainfall. It attains a large size on the coast, reaching 

 a height of 200 feet, and yields a good wood not yet much used. It 

 closely resembles the Eastern Hemlock, but attains a much larger size. 



WILLIAMSON'S HEMLOCK, only little known was found by Mr. Sargent on 

 Silver Mountain at an elevation of from 400 to 500 feet, and is essentially 

 alpine in its habits. 



RED CEDAR, OR WESTERN ARBOR ViTAE(77y'a gigantea) This nearly fol- 

 lows the Hemlock in its distribution, abounding along the coast and 

 lower parts of the rivers of the Coast range. It is unknown in the dry 

 central plateau, but re-appears in the slopes of the Selkirk and Gold 

 ranges, on Shuswap Lake, and in the North Thompson valley. On the 

 coast it not unfrequently surpasses fifteen feet in diameter, and attains a 

 height of 100 to 150 feet, but the large trees are apt to be hollow. The 

 wood is good, pale yellow or red and very durable ; it is not yet much 

 used except for shingles. 



ENGELMAN'S SPRUCE (Picea Engelmanni) This tree frequently sur- 

 passes three feet in diameter, and runs up tall, straight, and to a great 

 height. It appears to characterise the interior plateau and eastern part 

 of the Province, with the exception of the dry southern portions, and 

 forms dense forests in the mountains. The wood has not yet been 

 extensively used, but is excellent, and very durable. 



MENZIES SPRUCE (Picea Menziesii) This tree is confined to the imme- 

 diate vicinity of the coast, where it attains a very large size, and is used 

 for lumbering purposes. Its wood is white and fine. 



SPRUCE (Abies grandis) This has no common name, is confined to the 

 vicinity of the coast, where its range appears to be even more strictly 

 limited than the Cedar or Hemlock. The wood is white and soft, but too 

 brittle for ordinary purposes, and moreover, liable to decay rapidly. It 

 grows to a large size. 



BALSAM SPRUCE ( Abies subalpina) This is abundant in Gold and Selkirk 

 ranges, and in the region east of the coast ranges, but is not found in the 

 southern dry interior plateau. It the northern portion it occurs in scat- 

 tered groves. It often exceeds two feet in diameter, but the wood is 

 comparatively worthless. 



SPRUCE (Abies Amabihs) Little is known of this tree which is placed on 

 the list on the authority of Mr. Sargent. 



YELLOW, RED OR PITCH PINE (Pinus Ponderosa) A remarkably hand- 



