CHAPTER X. 



THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. ABIETINE^E, 



Tha general characters of this sub-family are given in 

 the Synopsis on page 70, and we illustrate them by a 

 figure, (Fig. 12,) modified from Richard, of the flowers of 

 the Scotch Pine, (Pinus sylvestris). A cluster of sterile 

 aments of the natural size is shown at a, and at b one of 

 the aments enlarged ; the scales of which it is composed 

 are stamens, the back of one of which is seen at d, and 

 the front, showing the two anthers, at c. A solitary fertile 

 ament at the end of a short branch is shown at e ; f is 

 the same enlarged ; g is one of the carpellary scales, or 

 open pistils, with its accompanying bract ; h is a view of 

 the same, with, the two inverted ovules at its base. These 

 scales, in ripening, form the cone ; a separate cone-scale, 

 with the seeds at the base, is given at i. 



I. PINIJS, Linnceus. PINE. 



Flowers, monoecious. Sterile aments, in spikes or clus- 

 ters, formed of numerous stamens on the axis, with very 

 short filaments. Anthers, 2-celled, with a scale-like con- 

 nective, and opening lengthwise. Fertile aments, solitary 

 or in clusters, and terminal. Fruit, a cone, persistent, and 

 formed of woody imbricated scales. Seeds, nut-like, situ- 

 ated in an excavation at the base of the scales, and mostly 

 winged. Cotyledons, linear, from 3 to 12. Leaves, nee- 

 dle-shaped, almost cylindrical, in clusters of 2, 3, or 5, 

 with a sheath at the base ; persistent. 



The genus Pinus comprises a much larger number 

 of species than any other belonging to the order. The 

 74 



