114 NATURAL HISTORY OF SCOTCH FIR. 



" This mode of determining varieties is then one in direct relation 

 with the views of forest culture, and may contribute efficaciously to its 

 good result. It is in this respect one, for our purpose, very much pre- 

 ferable to that of which I have spoken as adopted by the botanist. 

 But this is not its only advantage; instead of minute characteristics, 

 often difficult to catch by the eye without the assistance of a lens, 

 there are thus given characters of an order less recondite, call them 

 even vulgar, if you will, but they are easily caught by anybody and 

 everybody. And, in fine, another consideration in favour of the 

 adoption of them is, that they are at least as constant as those of a 

 nature more sti'ictly, and essentially scientific, or botanical. But by 

 this remark I mean not to condemn these last." 



These reasons, says he, have led me to adopt the mode of classifi- 

 cation described in comparing together, and grouping according to 

 their analogies, the numerous lots constituting VEcole ; and proceed- 

 ing to detail the classification of the pin sylvestre, in the collection 

 formed and studied by him, he says : 



" The direction taken by the branches, according as this may be 

 ascending or horizontal, has ever appeared to me to be the character- 

 istic most generally connected with the good or bad quality of the 

 trees, and I have adopted this as the basis of the classification of 

 the lots. 



" From this have resulted two principal divisions — first, that of 

 trees with ascending branches ; and second, that of trees with 

 horizontal branches. 



" Then, some sub-divisions being still required to bring together 

 trees presenting analogies of secondaiy importance, and to obtain 

 groups less comprehensive, I have introduced three into the first and 

 two into the second of these grand divisions, and these give the 

 following five series or divisions : 

 " I. Branches ascending corresponding to P. sylvestris var-ruhra. 



" A. Ascending, close, and pyramidal branches. 



" B. Ascending, scattered branches, with a regular crown. 



" C. Ascending, scattered branches, with an ir-regular crown, and 

 the branches often qourmandes, or overgrown, as if feeding rapaciously 

 on the sap of the tree. 

 " 11. Branches horizontal corresponding to P. sylvestris var-vulgaris. 



" D. Horizontal branches in successive tiers or stages. 



" E. Horizontal branches, thick-set and regular." 



These five divisions correspond to local varieties generally recog- 



