VJii INTRODUCTION. 



true Pines : and still more so in Australia and Polynesia, with 

 respect to the Phyllocladus, the Dammara, and the Dacrydium ; 



but all produce similar timber and secretions. These secretions, 

 which are always in the form of resinous juices, differ much 

 in properties, and may he divided into two classes ; those ob- 

 tained from the living tree by incisions in the bark ; and those 

 obtained from the wood and roots after felling, by the applica- 

 tion of heat. Among the former are liqiud balsam, the com- 

 mon black and yellow resin of the shops, with oil and spirits 

 of turpentine ; among the latter are tar, pitch, and lamp-black. 

 The Strasburg and Venice turpentine come from the Silver Fir 

 and Common Larch, and the best yellow resin (so much used 

 in the manufacture of yellow soap) from the Norway Spruce, 

 Olibanum and Sandarac are from the Junipers, and some of 

 the finer resins and gums from the Dammara, Araucaria, and 

 Callitris. 



The soil preferred by Pines in a natural state (and therefore 

 the most congenial to them), is that composed of the debris of 

 granitic rock, with a dry subsoil. They Avill, however, grow 

 anywhere, excepting on chalky formations, and land surcharged 

 with moisture (although some of the American kinds flourish 

 under this latter condition). The Firs (of which class the 

 roots run immediately under the surface) do not require a deep 

 soil, but they will not produce large and fine timber without a 

 sandy loam and cool subsoil. 



It would be beyond the purpose on the present occasion to 

 detail all the uses of this important tribe. I may, however, 

 observe, that the yellow deal of Europe is the produce of Pinus 

 sylvestris ; the Norway white deal that of Abies excelsa ; and 

 the white American pine that of Pinus Strobus. All of these 

 are, besides their other uses, of the greatest value to man in 

 the construction both of his habitation on the earth, and of 

 the arks which bear him and his treasures in safety through 

 the fathomless deep. 



The natural Order Conifers or Pinace^e is generally divided 

 into three families : viz., Abietinea?, Cupressinese, and Juni- 



