CHAP. CXIII. CONI'FER/E. Pl^NUS. 2225 



Spec. Char., <Yr. Leaves in pairs. Cones ovate, obtuse, nearly 

 as long as the leaves, their scales with recurved deciduous 

 points. Seed bony, with very short wings. Crest of the 

 anthers jagged. (Smith) The buds (see Jig. 2106 ) resemble 

 those of Pinaster, but are smaller in all their dimensions, 

 much less pointed, more woolly, and wholly without resin. 

 The surrounding buds are nearly as large as the central one. 

 The leaves are from 5 in. to 7 in., and sometimes 8 in. Jong, 

 serrated ; sheaths, at first, ^ in. long, afterwards becoming 

 lacerated, shortened to half their length, and ringed with 

 four or five rings. Cone from 5 in. to 6 in. in length ; and 

 from 3| in. to 4 in. in breadth ; scales large and woody, 

 from 2 in. to 2| in. in length, and from 1 in. to 1 A in. in 2106 



breadth, with the thickened part pyramidal, rhomboidal, and sometimes 

 hexagonal in the plan, resembling those of P. Pinaster, but having four 

 ribs from the four angles, instead of two from the lateral angles. The 

 ribs meet in a small rhomboidal pyramid, of a grey colour, which terminates 

 in a broad blunt prickle. The colour of the entire cone is much lighter than 

 that of P. Pinaster, and is of a pale wainscot colour. Seeds, without the 

 wing, f in. long, and from fin. to fin. broad; with the wing, I in. long. 

 Cotyledons 9 to 11. The tree flowers, in the climate of London, in the 

 latter end of May or the beginning of June. 

 Varieties. 



* ? P. P. 2 fragile N. Du Ham., v. p. 242., is the only variety mentioned 

 by Continental authors ; and it only differs from the species in having 

 a tender shell to the seed. It is cultivated in the kingdom of 

 Naples on this account, and because the kernel, like that of the 

 species, is white, mild, sweet, and agreeable to the taste. It is a 

 remarkable fact, that, though this variety has been known since the 

 days of Pliny, and though its excellence is universally acknow- 

 ledged, it has never been introduced into France. If the P. Pinea 

 were to be cultivated in the warmer parts of England, as a fruit tree, 

 this variety would deserve to be preferred. 



f P. P. 3 cretica Hort. There is a plant of this variety in the Horti- 

 cultural Society's Garden, which, after being seven years planted, is 

 5ft. high. The leaves seem to be rather finer than those of the 

 species. 



i P. P. 4 americana Hort. The plant in the Horticultural Society's 

 Garden bearing this name is 4ft. high, and appears not to differ 

 from the species. The name of americana, sent with the plant by 

 F. Bourne, Esq., would imply that the seed was received from 

 America, where, however, the stone pine is known not to be in- 

 digenous. 



Description. In the south of Europe, this species is a lofty tree, with a 

 spreading head forming a kind of parasol (see^g. 2108.), and a trunk 50ft. or 

 60ft. high, clear of branches. The bark of the trunk is reddish, and some- 

 times cracked ; but the general surface of the bark is smooth, except on the 

 smaller branches, where it long retains the marks of the fallen leaves, in the 

 shape of bristly scales. The leaves are of a deep green, but not quite so 

 dark as those of the pinaster; they are semicylindrical, 6 in. or 7 in. long, 

 and ^ in. broad, two in a sheath, and disposed in such a manner as to form 

 a triple spiral round the branches. The catkins of the male flowers are yel- 

 lowish ; and, being placed on slender shoots of the current year, near the 

 extremity, 20 or 30 together, they form bunches, surmounted by some scarcely 

 developed leaves. Each catkin is not more than A in. long, on a very short 

 peduncle, and with a rounded denticulated crest. The female catkins are 

 whitish, and are situated two or three together, at the extremity of the 

 strongest and most vigorous shoots. Each female catkin has a separate 



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