2202 



ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. 



PART III. 



2084 



seen the cones, and as the plant is now being extensively dis- 

 tributed, through the activity of Mr. Lawson, we have considered 

 it best, in the meantime, to give it in the form of a species. 

 1 P. L. 6 pyrenaica ; P. hispanica Cook ; ? P. pyrenaica Lap. From the 

 buds of the young plants of this pine, in the Horticultural Society's 

 Garden, and more especially from the cones, some of which we 

 received from Captain Cook, we are induced to refer it also to P. 

 Laricio ; but, as it seems a very distinct and beautiful variety, and 

 as it has been lately extensively distributed by Captain Cook, who 

 introduced it, we shall also give it in the form of a species. 

 1 P. L. 7 taurica. There is a tree bearing this name in Loddiges's arbore- 

 tum, which is not introduced into their catalogue for 1836, and 

 which appears, from its buds, to be identical with P. taurica (Lodd. 

 Cat.,ed. 1836.) of the same collection; and of which name P. 

 Pallasfttwa is a synonyme : but, as this variety of Laricio is very 

 distinct, particularly in the greater length of the cones and leaves, 

 we have given it as a species. 



Other Varieties. P. altissima and probably some other names are ap- 

 plied to P. Laricio, or some of its varieties, but not in such a manner 

 as to enable us to state anything satisfactory respecting them. The 

 only truly distinct forms of this species, in our opinion, are, P. L. corsicana, 

 P. L. caramanica (of which there is a handsome tree in the Horticultural 

 Society's Garden, under the name of P. romana), P. L. Pallaswzna (of 

 which there are trees at White Knights and Boyton), and perhaps P. L. 

 pyrenaica. 



Description. A tree, attaining the height of from 80 ft. to 100 ft., with a 

 regular pyramidal head, and the branches 

 disposed in whorls, of five or six in a whorl ; 

 which are distinguished from the branches 

 of P. Pinaster, by being often twisted and 

 turned in a lateral direction at their extre- 

 mities, especially in full grown trees. In the 

 Island of Corsica, it is said that there are 

 trees of this species from 140 ft. to 150 ft. in 

 height. The trunk and branches of full- 

 grown trees have a reddish grey-coloured 

 bark, not unlike that of P. sylvestris; and 

 the bark of the trunk cracks, and partially 

 separates in the form of large plates, as in 

 that tree. The leaves vary much in length, 

 according to the age of the tree, and the soil 

 on which it grows. The shortest are ge- 

 nerally 4- in. or 5 in., and the longest 7 in. or 

 8 in. long. They are slender, not sensibly 

 rough, and much darker-coloured than those of either P. sylvestris or P. 

 Pinaster. In young plants, and on the extremities of the shoots of the lower 

 horizontal branches of old trees, they are frequently much waved and twisted; 

 but near the top of the tree they are straight ; and on the leading shoot of 

 young trees, three leaves are occasionally found in a sheath. The sheaths of 

 the leaves vary from \ in. to 1 in. in length, and have generally 4 or 5 rings. 

 At first, the sheath is white and membranaceous; but it becomes torn and short- 

 ened as the leaves advance in age, and ultimately becomes black. The male 

 catkins, which are produced at the extremities of the shoots, are from 6 to 15 

 in number, and they are surrounded by numerous scales. They are from 1 in. 

 to l^in. in length, and from f^in. to in. in breadth; yellowish before the 

 bursting of the anthers, which are terminated by a round crest, and which 

 contain abundance of pollen, of a beautiful sulphur colour. After the male 

 catkins drop off, the part of the young shoot which they occupied is left naked ; 

 and hence the branches of old trees, particularly at their extremities, have 

 those tufts of leaves, alternately with naked places, which are so conspicuous 



