80 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES. 



oldest and largest trees usually wearing a curiously distorted 

 appearance, that is mainly brought about by the long, lithe, 

 and twisted branches. 



P. Ayacahuite, Ehrenberg. {Synonym: P. strohili- 

 formis, Engelmann.) Mexico, Guatemala. 1840. This is a 

 distinct and beautiful species, reminding one, except in its 

 longer foliage and cones, of the better known P. Strobus. The 

 branches are whorled, and evenly arranged on the stem, while 

 the leaves, which are five in a sheath, and of a desirable 

 glaucous-blue tinge, are about five inches long, and produced 

 plentifully. The cone is strikingly handsome, that now before 

 me, a British-grown specimen, being 12 inches long and 2 J 

 inches in diameter at the widest part. It is cylindrical in 

 shape, produced on a J-inch long foot-stalk, and of a warm 

 brownish-yellow colour. The scales are ovoid, sharply-pointed, 

 with the tips recurved. I am now fully convinced, after seeing 

 specimens in various parts of the country, that the present 

 species is far more hardy than is generally supposed ; indeed, 

 the localities and conditions under which it at present suc- 

 ceeds so well in this country are not such as would impress 

 one as being extra well suited for the cultivation of tender 

 plants. 



P. Balfouriana, Murray. California, Mountains in 

 Siskiyou County. 1852. Although a distinct and in many 

 ways a remarkable species, yet, as far as my own observations 

 have extended, this must be considered as comparatively rare 

 throughout Britain. It is quite hardy, but of slow growth, 

 about mid-way in habit between upright and spreading ; and 

 owing to the thickly-arranged short tufts of leaves standing out 

 at right angles to the branches and only towards the tips, 

 these present a curious cylindrical or bottle-brush appearance. 

 The short, falcate leaves, five in a sheath, are each not much 

 over an inch in length, and of a soft shade of green, the inner 

 face alone having a silvery tone. The cones vary in length, 

 but are usually in the home specimens fully 2j inches, with 

 protuberant, slightly-hooked scales, and when quite ripe are 

 of a dark cinnamon brown ; this also being the colour of the 



