116 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



sheaths, very broad, rigid, incurved, acute, compressed, 

 and light glaucous green color. Cones, "largest of the 

 family^" (J\ r itttaU) ; " 1 foot and more in length, 6 inches 

 in diameter near the middle, and weighing about 4 Ibs.," 

 (Lambert) ; conical-oblong, solitary, shining chestnut- 

 brown color ; with the large, indurated, wedge-shaped scales 

 terminating in a long, recurved and compressed spine, 3 or 

 4 inches in length. Seeds, large, flat, edible, dark brown 

 color, with long, stiff, light brown wings. 



This splendid Conifer has been so recently introduced 

 into cultivation that we feel a slight hesitancy in extolling 

 its merits as highly as they doubtless deserve ; but, be- 

 ing a native of our own country, and also possessing so 

 many excellences to recommend it to the notice of plant- 

 ers, we may be excused for our great partiality to it. 



According to Xuttall : " It was discovered by Dr. Coul- 

 ter on the mountains of Santa Lucia, near the Mission of 

 San Antonio, in the 36 of latitude within sight of the 

 sea, and at an elevation of between 3000 and 4000 feet above 

 its level. It was accompanied by the P. Lambertiana." 



Gordon, in describing this pine, remarks : " It is also 

 plentiful in other parts of California, particularly on the 

 ' Cerusta,' an ascent from San Luis Obispo, on the brow 

 of the mountain." It forms a large tree, from 80 to 100 

 feet in height, with large, spreading branches, and a trunk 

 3 or 4 feet in diameter. 



The magnificent, long, glaucous green leaves of this 

 pine cannot be excelled in beauty ; and the immense size, 

 as well as the curious structure of the cone, fully entitles it 

 to consideration. This latter feature is thus noticed by 

 Nuttall : " Travellers compare them for magnitude to sugar 

 loaves, which they resemble in form, suspended, as it were, 

 from forest trees." The large, nut-like seeds contained in 

 these cones are said to be very excellent and nutritious, 

 although not equal in size to those of P. Sabiniana. 



AVe arc not prepared at present to speak confidently of 

 its hardiness, but, judging from experience and what 



