LXXVII. CONI FERjE I PI NUS. 



1017 



1904. P. Cembra. 



every stage of its progress, more especially when young ; seldom advancing 



more, even in rich soils, than 1 ft. in a year. The wood of P. Cembra is very 



soft ; and its grain is so fine, that it is scarcely perceptible. It is very resinous, 



which is the cause of its agreeable fragrance. It is 



not commonly large enough to be used in carpentry ; 



but in joinery it is of great value, as it is remarkably 



easy to be worked, and is of great durability. In 



Switzerland, it is very much used by turners ; and 



the shepherds of the Swiss Cantons, and of the 



Tyrol, occupy their leisure hours in carving out of it 



numerous curious little figures of men and animals, 



which they sell in the towns, and which have found 



their way all over Europe. The wood is much used 



for wainscoting; having not only an agreeable light 



brown appearance, but retaining its odour, according 



to Kasthofer, for centuries. In Switzerland, the seeds 



are used in some places as food, and in others as an 



article of luxury. Though the Cembran pine will 



grow in the poorest soils, and in the most elevated 



and exposed situations, where no other pine or fir 



will exist, yet it will not grow rapidly, except in a Igos . r . 



