THE TRUE PINES. 265 



Teneriffe, and on the Grand Canary Island, at an elevation of 

 5000 or 0000 feet, where it forms extensive forests, from the 

 sea-shore to an altitude on the mountains of G000 feet. It is 

 most abundant at elevations of from 4000 to G000 feet above 

 the level of the sea ; on the Grand Canary Island the pine 

 forests extend from Oratava to Portillo de la Villa. 



The leaves of this pine are sometimes in twos, but more 

 frequently in threes ; and the trees ascend on the slope of the 

 Peak of TenerirTe to 7200 feet of elevation ; but the zone above 

 2400 feet is wholly occupied by vast forests, mingled with the 

 Juniperus Ceclro of Webb. The inhabitants call it Tea, and 

 consider its timber excellent, being resinous, durable, and free 

 from the ravages of insects. It is tender. 



No. 30. PiNUS cembroides, Gordon, the Mexican Cembra-like 



Pine. 



Syn. Pinus fertilis, Roezl. 



Leaves in threes, from one inch to one inch and a half in 

 length on the wild specimens, but rather longer on the young- 

 growing plants ; tolerably rigid, slightly twisted at the base, 

 three-edged, very dense, and of a bright glaucous green colour. 

 Sheaths short, and soon falling off or curling up. Seed-leaves, 

 on the young plants, from ten to twelve in number when they 

 first come up. Branches vertical, mostly in fives, but some- 

 times more numerous in a whorl, rather slender, slightly in- 

 curved, and spreading, with tolerable smooth bark, and remark- 

 ably small buds, which are imbricated and non-resinous, or 

 nearly so. Cones single and stalkless, from two inches and a 

 half to three inches in length, and one inch and three-quarters 

 broad at the base, with six or seven rows of scales, and tapering 

 but slightly to a blunt point ; the scales are rounded at the 

 margins, three-quarters of an inch broad, slightly elevated, and 

 nearly all of a size, except those close to the base, which are 

 very much smaller, and more elevated; each scale contains 

 within it two wingless seeds, which are top-shaped, slightly 



