360 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



to form a kind of berry ; in Calliiris the cone is of globose form, and 

 composed of 4 peltate scales, the apophyses of which meet in a valvate 

 manner ; the same is the case with a greater number of valves in Cupressus, 

 while Thuja has the scales more distinctly imbricated, but still with 

 thickened apophyses, which meet in a valvate manner (like those of Pinus 

 sylvestris). 



The curious fasciculate arrangements of the leaves of Pinus, where 

 2, 3, 4, or more occur together, with a common membranous sheath at the 

 base, offer valuable distinctive characters for the species. It is probable 

 that these so-called leaves are more properly to be considered as shoots, 

 as in Sciadopitys. Their anatomical structure has lately formed the 

 subject of examination by Bertrand, McNab, and others. 



The affinities of the Pinaceae are with Dicotyledons by their habit of 

 growth, although there is an essential difference in the internal structure 

 of their organs ; the inflorescence of this and of the associated Orders is 

 perhaps more highly organized than that of the Cycads, and is connected 

 with Phanerogams, on the one hand, by the presence of distinct stamens 

 and carpels, the latter producing a perfect seed; while the nature of 

 the processes taking place in the development of the embryo (described 

 in the Physiological Part of this work) indicates a close approach to 

 the conditions which are met with in the higher Cryptogams, especially 

 Selaginella. The leaves usually persist often for years. In Thuja, Tax- 

 odium distichum, and some others, the extremities of the branches fall 

 with the leaves. 



Distribution. A considerable Order even in point of numbers, its re- 

 presentatives are met with in all parts of the world ; the species of Pinus, 

 Abies, and Taxodium growing socially, form characteristic forests in the 

 northern hemisphere. They are represented in Palaeozoic as well as in 

 all the more recent formations. 



Qualities and Uses. Most valuable as timber-trees and as sources of 

 important resins (turpentine, pitch, &c.) used in the arts, and aromatic 

 oils and balsams having medicinal properties. 



Pinus includes : P. sylvestris, the Scotch Fir (North Europe) ; P. Pi- 

 naster, the Cluster-pine, a less hardy tree ; P. palustris, the Swamp-pine 

 of Virginia ; P. Tceda, the Frankincense-pine. Pinus Fremontiana, P. 

 Lambertiana, P. Strobus, &c. are other very valuable timber-trees, attain- 

 ing a height of upwards of 200 feet. Pinus Pinea, the Stone-pine of the 

 south of Europe, has edible seeds. Abies includes : the Norway Spruce, 

 A. excelsa ; the Silver-Fir, A. pectinata ; Abies balsamea, Balsam-of- 

 Gilead Fir, and A. canadensis, Hemlock Spruce, both North-American. 

 Cedrus, a subgenus of Abies, includes the Cedar of Lebanon (Abies Cedrus 

 or C. Libani), and the Deodar (C. Deodard), which is supposed to be 

 merely a variety of the last named. Larix, another subgenus, includes the 

 European (Abies Larix or Larix europeea) and other Larches, characterized 

 by deciduous f oh' age ; Araucaria includes the enormous Chilian Pine (A. 

 imbricata) and the Moreton-Bay Pine (A. Bidwillii). Eutassa excelsa is the 

 celebrated Norfolk-Island Pine. Dammara australis is the Cowrie _ Pine 

 of New Zealand ; D. orientalis the Dammar Pine of India. Sequoia (or 

 Wellingtonid) gigantea is a Calif ornian Pine, attaining a height of 360 feet ; 

 Microcachrys tetrayona is the Huon Pine of Tasmania. 



