PINUS PINASTEE. 383 



number of these plates also the age of a tree may be 

 nearly computed, for unless any of the outer scales have 

 peeled off, which sometimes happens, the age of the tree 

 corresponds with the number of annual deposits. The 



CONES OF PI 



trunks of old trees generally incline a little on one side, 

 this effect having been produced by the weight of the 

 foliage, &c. while they were young. The lower part of 

 the trunk is entirely bare of branches, but higher up there 

 usually project the stumps of numerous dead branches of 



