THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 213 



collector of the Clapton Nursery. Gordon, who first 

 described it in his supplement, and who gave it a 

 specific name, thus alludes to its habitat, etc.: "A noble 

 tree, frequently upwards of '250 feet in height, and 5 or G 

 feet in diameter, found in British Columbia and Northern 

 California, but always in valleys or along the alluvial banks 

 of rivers." 



There appear to be two distinct forms of A. grandis, 

 perpetuated by nurserymen, known as var. lasioearpa, 

 and var. Parsoxiana, or Parsonii. The first of these is 

 described as a species in "Endlicher's Coniferarum" on 

 the authority of Hooker, with the following distinctions : 

 Leaves alike in color on both sides, whilst those of the 

 species are glaucous below. Bracts broadly obovate, 

 scarcely denticulate, mucronate. Scales, sub-rotundate and 

 deeply pubescent. 



Parson's variety has very long, incurved leaves of a 

 peculiar glossy green color, perfectly conical in form, and, 

 in fhct,it appears to embrace every quality that can be 

 desired in a first-class Conifer. 



34 Ai Pichta, Fischer. -SIBERIAN SILVER FiR.-Syn. A. 

 Sibirica, Ledeb.; Picea Pichta, London. Leaves, 1 inch 

 long, linear, flat, obtuse, incurved at the apex, mostly scat- 

 tered, crowded, very dark green above, paler below. 

 Branches, horizontal, somewhat pendulous at maturity. 

 Cones, 3^ inches long, cylindrical, obtuse ; with obovate, 

 rounded, entire scales ; and very short, irregularly toothed 

 bracteoles, that end in a long point. Seeds, small, with 

 very large, membranaceous wings. 



The A. Pichta is a rather small Asiatic species, from the 

 mountains of Siberia and Altai, where it is found in large 

 numbers, and forms whole forests of the richest, darkest 

 verdure, reaching to an elevation of from 2,000 to 5,000 

 feet. It generally grows from 25 to 50 feet in height, and 

 is remarkably dense and compact in growth. 



The specimen standing in the arboretum of the late 



