THE STONE PINE 143 



to 1548 because it is mentioned in Turner's " Names 

 of Herbes," published in that year. The passage in 

 question runs as follows : 



" Pinus, as Theodore translateth, is called in greeke Peuce, in 

 englishe a pyne tree, in duche Ein forthen, in french Ung pin. Pines 

 growe fayrest in gardines. There groweth one fayre one in Rich- 

 mund. Pine nuttes are hote and drye." 



This passage may, as Mr. Britten, the editor ot 

 the modern reprint of Turner's scarce work, considers^ 

 refer to the Scots Fir (Pinus sylves'tris). In the 

 sixteenth century the Scots Fir was probably rare 

 enough in Southern Britain for one tree growing at 

 Richmond to call for special mention, and its seeds, 

 like every other known vegetable substance, native or 

 foreign, would be tested by the careful apothecaries of 

 that age. Turner knew Italy and its plants well, but 

 may not have recognised a distinction' between the 

 two species. It is doubtful, therefore, whether the 

 Stone Pine was grown in England before the time of 

 Evelyn, or even before 1750, about which date 

 Peter Collinson planted it, together with all the 

 Conifers he could collect, at his house at Mill Hill. 



In the South of Europe its soft, light, fine- 

 grained wood is used for masts and general 

 carpentry ; but it is not durable, and the tree is chiefly 

 valued for its large edible seeds, which are used as 

 food wherever the species grows. They do not ripen 

 until the fourth year, and are then three-quarters 

 of an inch long without their wings, and about 

 half as broad, and, being entirely free from resin, 

 have a sweet taste, resembling that of the Hazel-nut. 

 In Pliny's 'time they were preserved in honey, and 



