PINE NUTS. 93 



seeds, but the trees are so limited in number that their fruit is too scarce to be known 

 to the natives as an article of diet. Of such are the Pinus albicaulis, Pinus flexilis, 

 and Pinus torreyana. 



Of the 24 species of pine found on the Pacific Slope, including Arizona, half of 

 them aft'ord seeds that are used as Indian food. 



Following the order of species as presented in " Pines of the Pacific Slope," we 

 illustrate and describe some of the most valuable species : 



NAMED SPECIES ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 



MOUNTAIN PINE (Pinus monticola Doug., pi. 16, fig. 1). " Specimens collected h 

 Gold Lake Valley, Sierra County, Cal. Occupying elevated regions mostly of the 

 Sierra and Cascade ranges, this delicious pine seed is rarely seen in the possession of 

 the natives, but it is eagerly eaten out of hand by the males as soon as gathered. 

 Mature cones narrow, 6 to 12 inches long; scales thin, weak, reflexed at maturity." 



SUGAR PINE (Pinus lambertiana Doug., pi. 16, fig. 2). "Specimens collected in 

 Sierra Valley at 7,000 feet altitude. Found at lower elevations and in vast quan- 

 tities. The sugar pine is a prime article of food, large trees being often cut down for 

 their fruit. Mature cones 10 to 12 inches, rarely 15 to 22 inches long, and 2 to 3 

 inches thick, becoming, when expanded, 4 to 6 inches thick. Seeds very large, about 

 one-half inch long, with large wings an inch long, and thickly veined with reddish 

 brown. There is a variety minor (Little Sugar Pine), of which the tree and fruit are 

 small." 



WHITE-BARK PINE (Pinus albicaulis Engel., pi. 16, fig. 3). " South shoulder 

 of Mount Shasta, timber line of the trees. Much dwarfed Alpine trees, found on 

 timber line of high peaks. These extremely fat and nutritious seeds become a deli- 

 cacy well rewarding the hard climb to secure them. Mature cones small, subglobose, 

 one-half to 2 inches long, deep purple until maturity. Seeds pale, nearly globular." 



SINGLE-LEAP PINE (Pinus monophylla Tor. & Frein., pi. 16, fig. 4). " Specimens 

 collected on eastern slope of San Bernardino Mountains. This is one of the most 

 noted of the nut pines, and was formerly quite abundant on the low mountain ranges 

 of Nevada and the eastern Sierra foothills. Of late the trees have been nearly all 

 destroyed in the mining sections for fuel. This Nevada pine nut is very large ; it has a 

 large shell; cones 2 inches long. The solitary leaves of this species not otherwise 

 known in the pine family." 



PARRY PINE (Pinus parryana Engel., pi. 16, fig. 5. Mexican Pinon). " Specimens 

 collected in Lower California, on San Rafael Mountains, 60 miles below California 

 boundary. This excellent fruit, being limited in supply and found on a little-known 

 peninsula, is rarely seen in the possession of the natives. It is highly prized for the 

 large seed, soft shell, and delicious kernel." 



PINON (Pinus edulis Engel., pi. 16, fig. 6). "Specimens collected in New Mexico 

 in 1884 ; quality of kernel still good in 1895. The Mexican pinon is an excellent soft- 

 shelled nut. It is collected in large quantities for sale, and is shipped as far west as 

 California markets." 



ARIZONA PINON (Pinus cembroides Zucc., pi. 16, fig. 7). "A large and hard- 

 shelled nut; grows few in number in small cones, on very small, round-headed trees." 



YELLOW PINE (Pinus ponderosa Doug., pi. 16, fig. 8. Heavy Pine). "Specimens 

 collected in Sierra Valley. This widely distributed species, being in some of its forms 

 in proximity to the aborigines, is often collected when other food is scarce; but the 

 small seeds render it least desirable of all pines as a food. Trees of the largest size, 

 120 to 200 feet, not rarely 250 to 300 feet; and in diameter 4 to 10 feet, often 15 to 20 

 feet. Mature cones conical ovate, 2 to 5 inches long." 



BLACK PINE (Pinus jeffreyi Mur., pi. 16, fig. 9). " Specimens collected in Lake 

 Tahoe Valley. This is nearly as abundant as the former in the Sierras, and the seeds, 



