THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 79 



Dr. Richardson, during his journey to the Arctic Seas, 

 speaks of it as attaining the height of from 20 to 40 feet, 

 and even upwards in favorable situations ; and also that 

 he found it occupying dry, sandy soils. He describes it as 

 forming an elegant tree, -with, long, flexible, spreading 

 branches. Douglas, likewise, mentions it as forming 

 good sized trees in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. 



The timber is remarkably light, with a straight, tough 

 fibre, and according to Dr. Richardson much prized by 

 the Indians for building their canoes, and for other purposes. 



For ornamental planting, Nuttall says, " it is prized in 

 Great Britain ; but with us, as yet, the appearance of pines 

 is too plebeian, from their abundance and predominance 

 throughout the barren and uncleared lands by which we 

 are still surrounded." 



Notwithstanding the existence of this species has been 

 known to botanists for a number of years, and with a 

 knowledge that in England it makes a fine specimen under 

 generous cultivation, we are scarcely aware of its being 

 planted in this country, excepting, by a very few enthusi- 

 astic botanists, who desire to examine the habit of every- 

 thing belonging to the order. 



Michaux, in his " Sylva," speaks rather disparagingly 

 of its merits. After mentioning the supposed medicinal 

 properties contained in the cones, he remarks : " If this 

 property, which is said to belong also to the fruit of the 

 Black Spruce, is proved to exist, it forms the only merit 

 of a tree too diminutive to be of any other utility." 

 From which assertion we differ, for we know of no other 

 species that is apparently so well adapted for creating a 

 peculiar effect in picturesque landscapes, as the one under 

 notice ; and particularly in close proximity to wild, rocky 

 scenery, when it may be allowed to grow as a low, strag- 

 gling shrub, and thereby appear appropriate. 



Michaux certainly never saw it in cultivation, for Loudon 

 thus eulogizes it : 



