THE FIXE STJB-FAMILY. 201 



25, A, ( 1 ephalonioa,-ow?o>i. CEPHALONIAN SILVER FIR. 

 Syn. Picea Cephalonica, London. Leaves, of an incli 

 or more in length, dagger-shaped, almost sessile, numer- 

 ous, equally distributed, sharply mucronate, dark green 

 and shining above, glaucous below. Branches, numerous, 

 horizontal, and spreading, with bright brown bark and res- 

 inous buds. Cones, from 5 to 6 inches in length, cylindri- 

 cal, straight, with broad, entire scales; bracts, linear-ob- 

 long, with \mequally toothed, rigid, and retlexed sharp 

 points at the apex. 



This very beautiful Fir is a native of Mt. Enos, the 

 highest mountain of Cephalonia, as well as of several parts 

 of Greece. On the former locality it is found at an eleva- 

 tion of from 4,000 to 6,000 feet, growing GO feet high, 

 with a broad, spreading head, the body measuring 9 or 10 

 feet in circumference. It was first introduced into Eng- 

 land by General Napier, Governor of Cephalonia, who, 

 being much interested in its culture, sent home seeds which 

 have produced some splendid specimens. It has in Eng- 

 land proved entirely hardy, and in every way perfectly 

 satisfactory. 



We are exceedingly partial to this tree, not only on ac- 

 count of its hardiness with us, but for its dark green, 

 unique looking foliage, standing out in every direction like 

 miniature bayonets, as if to guard the tree from all invad- 

 ers ; and such an office it is well capable of performing, 

 for its exceedingly sharp points repel all attempts at fa- 

 miliarity. 



In liffht soils, as well as in those of a tenacious clavi-y 



O 7 ** 



loam, we have seen specimens that would rival the Arau- 

 caria in beauty. One of the finest specimens we have 

 ever seen is growing in the collection at Wbdenethe, on 

 the Hudson, the height of which we should judge to be 

 20 feet ; others are 10 and 12 feet high, and although 

 younger, are equally beautiful and healthy. 



All with whom we have conversed agree as to its har- 

 diness, although in Meehan's little treatise he speaks of 

 9* 



