100 THE TOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



remarks as follows : " Of all the forest trees of America, 

 this species alone is restricted to such narrow limits, and 

 it will probably be among the first to become extinct, as 

 the mountains whicli produce it are easy of access, are 

 favored Avith a salubrious air and a fertile soil, and are rap- 

 idly peopling ; besides which their forests are frequently 

 ravaged by fire." But Nuttall, in his description, says : 

 "The quantity of this species on the Table Mountain, and 

 on a wide stretch of high mountains for many miles north 

 and south of this locality, is very great, and no apprehen- 

 sions need be entertained, nor is there the most distant 

 probability, of its ever being extirpated by the puny hand 

 of man." Such difference of opinion between these au- 

 thorities is somewhat remarkable ; but in the case of the lat- 

 ter, his superior advantages for examining the trees in their 

 native locality entitle his description to the greater credit. 

 Later investigations have proven that it extends over quite 

 a large tract, forming a dense growth of a peculiar light 

 green color, which is observable for a great distance. 



Nuttall says : " On the vast precipices, slopes, impend- 

 ing rocks and chasms of the Linville, a branch of the Ca- 



^y j 



tawba, it darkens the whole horizon and presents an im- 

 posing mass of intense and monotonous verdure. It gen- 

 erally occupies the summits of the highest rocky ridges, 

 and sweeps over the most dangerous and inaccessible de- 

 clivities to the margin of precipices, some of which, over- 

 hanging the cove of Linville, are at least 1000 feet 

 perpendicular." 



The timber is not particularly prized, and the resin not 

 of sufficient value for manufacturing purposes. The out- 

 line and general appearance of the tree bears quite a 

 strong resemblance to the Scotch Pine, excepting in the 

 color of the leaves. 



A peculiar feature of this pine is the great length of 

 time which the cones remain on the branches, and being 

 generally in whorls, they create an odd effect. Loudon in- 



