228 General Notices. 



difference tliey assert, being in the price, the former being 2s. a plant, the 

 latter 2s. or 3s. a thousand, a conclusion which does not seem to be suffi- 

 ciently warranted. It is also variously classed as Pinus, Abies, and Picea ; 

 Loudon correctly classifying it under the latter description. 



Picea A^obilis of Loudon. — Found in extensive forests near the cataracts 

 of Columbia, by Douglas, who spent some weeks in woods composed en- 

 tirely of this tree, " and, day by day," he says, " I could not cease to admire 

 it." Never, certainly, was admiration better bestowed ; for, among the 

 whole range of Coniferous trees, the lover of that famdy may point at this 

 superb species, as combining in itself all that is majestic in form and stat- 

 ure, beautiful in outline, and symmetrical in proportion. Attaining in its 

 native forests, the stupendous height of 180 feet, it throws off at equal inter- 

 vals, its horizontal branches, in whorls of such uniform order and arrange- 

 ment, that each series forms a beautiful dense circular platform of the deep- 

 est verdure, broader at the base, and gradually narrowing their radius as 

 they ascend. Neither is there tlie least approach to stiffness in this uni- 

 formity. On the contrary, from the fine incurvature, both of the dense fo- 

 liage and the lateral shoots, imparting a featlier-like softness to the branches, 

 the entire tree is invested with a grace to which no description can do jus- 

 tice. The tree here, as every where, is perfectly hardy, and, with the Deo- 

 dar and Douglas Spruce, should be the first aim of every pine grower to 

 possess. As it is one of the newest, plants here are but young. 



Picea Grandis. — This giant of his race luxuriates in the humid valleys of 

 Northern California, attaining tliere the magnificent height of from 170 to 

 200 feet. It is another of those splendid acquisitions for which this country 

 is indebted to the exertions of the indefatigable, but ill-fated Douglas, who 

 introduced it in 1831. It is scarcely less conspicuous for its great stature, 

 than for the rich bright verdure of its foliage, which contributes in no small 

 degree to the grandeur of its general aspect. Its qualities, as a timber tree, 

 are unfortunately held in less estimation. It has proved here to be perfectly 

 hardy, and the young trees are making rapid progress. There is a speci- 

 men of this tree of surpassing beauty, at Dalquharran, in Ayrshire, the seat 

 of T. F. Kennedy, Esq., of Dunure, probably the largest in Scotland. It is 

 likewise variously classed as Pinus, Abies, and Picea — the latter being Lou- 

 don's classification, is now universally adopted. 



Picea Pindrow of Loudon. — This tree is a native of the East, occupying 

 a range of from 8000 to 9500 on the Himmalayan Alps, and is variously 

 stated as reaching a height of from 80 to 100 feet. A beautiful advanced 

 specimen of this tree, will be found in the Botanic Garden of Edinburgh. 

 Here the trees are young, but vigorous. Planted in 1845, about 3 or 4 

 inches, tliey are now about 3 feet high. Don apud Royle treats of this tree 

 in glowino- terms: — "Arbor formossissima trunca strictissimo, ramis verti- 

 cillatis, patentissimis, dense foliosis." It is, in point of picturesque effect, 

 behind few of the species. Throwing its strong, thickly clad branches far 

 from the trunk, and wide apart, it presents irresistible chai-ms to the painter, 

 and the lover of wild untutored Nature ; and hence well suited to contrast 

 with the forms of its more symmetrical congeners. But with the very high- 



