PINUS GERARDIANA. 331 



It is usually a small stunted tree frequently, growing singly or in 

 small groves among other Conifers. On the eastern slopes of the 

 Rocky Mountains of Montana and on many of the ranges of central 

 Xevada between 7,000 and 10,000 feet altitude it is the principal and 

 most valuable timber tree, forming in places extensive forests. It attains 

 its largest size on the mountains of northern Arizona and New Mexico 

 where it sometimes produces cones 8 10 inches long. At its highest 

 limit on the mountains of central Xevada it is frequently reduced to 

 a spreading shrub two to three feet high.* The wood is light, 

 close-grained and compact, of a light clear yellow turning to red on 

 exposure. 



Finns flexUis was first discovered by Dr. James who accompanied 

 Long's Expedition to the Eocky Mountains in 1820 1821 ; it was 

 subsequently met with in other parts of the mountain chains over 

 which it is spread by botanists and others who were attached to the 

 various Pacific Railroad explorations, and through whom it became better 

 known. Seeds were introduced into Great Britain by Jeffrey in 1851, 

 and afterwards by others, but nothing is recorded of the earlier seedlings. 

 The excellent specimens growing in the Royal Gardens at Kew and in 

 a few other places should induce a more extended trial of it for 

 ornamental planting in this country. 



Pinus Gerardiana. 



A medium-sized tree with a short round crown and grey bark peeling 

 off in large flakes, occasionally attaining a height of 50 60 feet with 

 a stout trunk 12 feet in girth; usually 40 50 feet high with 

 a short straight trunk free of branches to 8. 10 feet, and with a 

 girth of 6 7 feet. Branches strong, horizontal- or decurved, and 

 upturned at the ends.f Ramification pseudo-whorled or sub-distichous 

 and alternate. Branchlets stoutish, with pale grey-brown bark. Leaves 

 ternate, persisting three four years, stiffish, triquetrous, 3 4 inches 

 long, dark green ; basal sheath 0*5 inch long, entire, deciduous. 

 Staminate flowers not seen. Cones on short scaly peduncles, erect, 

 ovoid-cylindric, 6 9 inches long and 4 5 inches in diameter; scales 

 obtusely triangular with a spine-tipped umbo 1 1*5 inch long and 

 1 inch broad at the recurved tip. Seeds with a short caducous 

 wing. 



Finns Gerardiana, Wallich in Lambert's Genus Pinus, ed. II. Vol. II. t. 79 (1837). 

 London, Arb. et Frut, Brit. IV. 2254. Royle, Illus. Him. Plant. 353, t. 85. 

 Forbes, Pinet. Wobnrn, 53, t. 19. Endlicher, Synops. Conif. 159. Carriere, Traite 

 Conif. ed. II. 433. Parlatore, D. C. Prodr. XVI. 391. Brandis, Forest Fl. N.W. 

 Ind. 508, t. 67. Gordon, Pinet. ed. II. 268. Hooker ill, Fl. Brit. Ind. V. 652. 

 Beissner, Nadelholzk. 250. Masters in Journ. R. Hort. Soc. XIV. 229. 



This Pine inhabits the north-west Himalaya from Kunawar westwards, 

 occurring locally in the eastern portion of its range in the inner valleys 

 that are beyond the influence of the periodical rains. Its vertical 

 range is from 6,000 to 12,000 feet, the higher elevation being reached 

 in Kafristan and Afghanistan, where it is common and frequently 

 associated with the Deodar Cedar. 



* Garden and Forest, V. 1 ; and X. 162. 

 t Brandis, Forest Flora of North-west India, 508. 



