THE PINE FAMILY. 



inches long. The young cones, which grow 

 singly or in clusters of two or three, are slender, 

 pyramidal, and somewhat tinted with red. When 

 mature they measure about two 

 inches long and have narrow 

 rounded scales which open 

 at their apices and project 

 an early-falling bristle. 

 P. claiisa, spruce or 

 sand pine, as it is locally 

 called, inhabits the coast 

 and central part of Florida 

 and may be known by its 

 fine, flexible leaves which 

 also grow in groups of two. 

 It is there found much^ 

 branched from its base and 

 growing to about the 

 height of thirty feet. Its 

 specific name refers to the 

 fact that its very interest- 

 ing cones have closed 

 scales, or those which 



rarely open. In outline they are conical and vary in colour from silvery 

 grey to dull red. As they refuse to open or fall the gradual growth of the 

 tree surrounds them until they are quite buried within the trunk and 

 branches. We think naturally of the cones' object in life being to guard 

 the young seed until it is developed and mature enough to make its own way 

 in the world, and then to open and foster its escape ; it is therefore a matter 

 of wonder just why this species so often falls short in accomplishing the 

 act to which all its former deeds have been directed. 



PRICKLY PINE, HICKORY PINE, TABLE=MOUNTAIN PINE. 



Pinus pii7igens. 



HEIGHT 



feet. 

 old, rough and 



RANGE 



In Alleghnnies 

 Pa. to Ga. 



TIME OF BLOOM 



Ma Y. 



FAMILY SHAPE 



Pine. Head : narrotu^ branches . 

 short, ascending. 



Bark: reddish brown; when old, rough and broken into ])late-like scales. 

 Leaves : dark bluish green ; two to four inches long ; simple ; growing closely along 

 the branches in bunches of two or sometimes three, and having sheaths at their 

 bases; needle-shaped, the outer side round and smooth, the inner side grooved; 

 stiff. Statnitiate floivers : growing in a dense spike near the bnse of the season's 

 shoots. Pistillate ones : clustered on the twigs of the preceding year. Cones : 



