3^ 



o 



Unexplored Spain 



for the purpose to be divested of foliage), illustrate the singular 

 multiple growth described. 



The foliage of the pinsapo diti'ers from ordinary pine-needles, 

 being rather a series of stiff outstanding spines analogous to those 

 of the Araucaria. They display a crimson efflorescence in March, 

 developing into clusters of red cones by April, and ripening in 

 August to September.' 



The piusapo-forests are subject to terrible destruction alike 



\ ^ ,..0 ■',/'*^ ^*-iK ) 



PINSAPO PINES {Abies pinsapo) 

 Diagram to show trunk-plan, divested of foliage, Girtli at base 30 to 45 feet. 



by hatchet and fire, tempest and avalanche. Forest-fires sweep 

 whole glens ; while rock-slides overwhelm and uproot even the 

 biggest trees by scores. Few scenes that we have witnessed are 

 more eloquent of nature's violence than these traces of an 

 avalanche. Mammoth skeletons, weird and weather-blanched, 

 protrude by the hundred from chaotic rock-ruin — some still 

 upright, others overthrown or half submerged in debris, yet 



' We have a number of pinsiipos growing in Northumberland. They were planted some 

 ten years ago on a cold northern exposure, and are now flourishing vigorously, some having 

 reached a height of eight or ten feet. Nearly all tend to throw up numerous "leaders" as 

 described. 



