250 CONVERSATIONS. 



hundred feet high, and three feet in diameter : 

 the leaves are shaped like those of the balm 

 of Gilead, but they are collected in bunches, 

 united at the root and spreading out at the 

 other end, like the sticks of a fan ; this ar- 

 rangement of the leaves gives to the tree a 

 singular and pleasing appearance. The cones 

 are about the size of an acorn, and very 

 abundant. The wood is better than that of 

 any of the pines or spruces, uniting great 

 strength with durability almost equal to that 

 of the cypress : its only fault is its weight, 

 which makes it unfit for masts. It is chiefly 

 used for the knees and large timbers of 

 vessels," 



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