roNTFKR^. 



303 



Gtuyraphii. — I'ho P. niitis is t'ouiid in tlie eastern L'uited States, frmn New 

 Kuglaud to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It attains its full size south 

 of Virgiuia, and flourishes in the hot sands of tlie ( 'aroliuas and the Gulf 

 states. 



Etymologij. — Mills, the spe«-ihc uanie of tliis pine, is derived from the Latin 

 mitis, soft, or tender, and is due to the delicate feel of the soft youug leaves. 

 Variabilis, Latin for variable, refers t(j tlie inconstant number of leaves in a 

 oluster, — usually 2, but occasionally :i. Yellow pint refers to the color of the 

 wood. The origin of the uame spruce pine is not apparent. 



PlNUS 8VLVE8TRIS (Scotcll Piue). 



Use. — The P. niitis is sparingly used in planted grounds ; it forms a sym- 

 metrical pyramidal head, and its bluish-green foliage makes it a desirable 

 ornamental tree. The wood is rich in resin, fine-grained, and takes a good 

 polish ; it is used for flooring, and of late years ha.s been largely used in naval 

 architecture, taking the place of oak, especially for decks. 



5. P. sylvestris, Ait. (Scotch Pine. Scotch Fir.) Trunk fiO to 100 feet high, 

 sometimes reaching the diameter of 6 feet. Branches somewhat straggling, 

 forming a picturesque head. Grows rapidly in planted grounds. The new 

 gro\vth is frequently crooked by its own weight before it becomes hardened, 

 by reason of which the trunk is frecjuently very crooked. Leaves rigid, in 



