22 FAMILIAR TREES 



contrast to the small wing of the large seed of the 

 Stone Tine, an effective mechanism for seed-dispersal. 

 It is most important that the true Corsican Pine 

 should be accurately discriminated from its varieties 

 or geographical forms : in few cases, indeed, is what 

 is known as "critical" botany of greater practical 

 import. Practical experience has shown the typical 

 form to be one of our valuable forest trees, while 

 some of the other varieties do not share its useful 

 characteristics. Thus, J. Nelson, writing as "Johannes 

 Senilis " in 1840, says of it : 



li All things considered, it is one of the most valuable and 

 generally useful species of the genus Pinus winch has yet been 

 planted in the British Isles, being thoroughly hardy, sound in con- 

 stitution, of tolerably large dimensions, and of a very rapid and 

 regular growth; and will not only grow, but will produce both 

 quantity and quality of timber equal to any and superior to many of 

 its congeners, when grown under the same conditions. We have it 

 in almost every description of loam, clay, sand, gravel, peat, and 

 compound earths all, of course, made sweet and healthy by efficient 

 drainage; and in situations the most sheltered and exposed, in mari- 

 time and inland localities, on high and low altitudes, and everywhere 

 unless, indeed, in close, soft peat and spongy marsh it is doing 

 well. I know of no Pine less subject to the attacks or ravages of 

 insects, fungoid enemies, game, or vermin ; for frequently have I 

 seen its congeners, the Austrian and the Scots Pines, cropped by 

 hares, nipped by conies, and disbudded by black cocks and grey 

 hens, while the Corsican remained untouched. This, doubtless, is 

 accounted for by the peculiarly bitter, aromatic flavour with which 

 its sap is impregnated." 



Mr. John Simpson writes of it that it " appears to 

 have all the good qualities of the Scotch Fir, with the 

 advantage that it beats the latter in bulk of timber 

 from the first," 



This most valuable form is distinguished by its 



