132 CONIFERS. Abies. 



Canadian balsam or balm of fir. an aromatic liquid oleo-resin obtained 

 from this and other species of Abies by puncturing the vesicles formed 

 under the bark of the stem and branches, is used medicinally, chiefly in 

 the treatment of chronic catarrhal affections, and in the arts. 



394. Abies subalpina, Engelm. 

 Balsam. 



Alaska, south through British Columbia and along the Cascade Moun- 

 tains to northern Oregon ; Blue Mountains of Oregon and on the ranges 

 of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. 



A tree 24 to 40 metres in height, with a trunk rarely exceeding 0.60 

 metre in diameter ; mountain slopes and canons between 4,000 (British 

 Columbia) and 12,000 (Colorado) feet elevation; generally scattered and 

 rarely forming the prevailing forest growth. 



Wood very light, soft, not strung, rather close-grained, compact ; bands 

 of small summer cells very narrow, not conspicuous ; medullary rays 

 numerous, obscure ; color light brown or nearly white, the sap-wood 

 lighter. 



395. Abies grandis, Lindl. 

 White Fir. 



Vancouver's Island, south to northern California, near the coast ; in- 

 terior valleys of western Washington and Oregon south to the Umpqua 

 River; Cascade Mountains below 4.000 feet elevation, Blue Mountains 

 of Oregon to the eastern slope of the Cceur d'Algne and Bitter Boot 

 Mountains, Idaho, and the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains of 

 northern Montana. 



A large tree, 01 to 92 metres in height, with a trunk 0.90 to 1.50 

 metres in diameter ; most common and reaching its greatesl development 

 on the bottom-lands of western Washington and Oregon in rich, moist 

 soil or on moist mountain slopes; then much smaller, rarely exceeding 

 30 metres in height. 



Wood very light, soft, not strong, coarse-grained, compact; bands of 

 small summer cells broader than in other American species, dark-colored, 

 resinous, conspicuous; medullary rays numerous, obscure; color light 

 brown, the sap-wood rather lighter; in western Oregon manufactured into 

 lumber and used for interior finish, packing-cases, cooperage, etc. 



396. Abies concolor, Lindl. & Gord. 

 White Fir. Balsam Fir. 



Northern slopes of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon, south along the 

 western slope of the Sierra Nevada to the San Bernardino and San Ja- 

 cinto Mountains. California; high mountains of northern Arizona to the 



