304 DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



pairs, 1^ to 3 inches long, twisted, bluish-green ; sheaths short, and torn ; 

 cones conical, ovate, 2 to 3 inches long, color grayish-brown ; point 4-sided, 

 recurved. Seeds small, with a long reddish wing. Cotyledons 5 to 7. 



There are about a dozen varieties, for as it is propagated from the seed it 

 sports freely. 



Geography. — Its home is in the upper and northern exposures of the 

 Pyrenees, and the Tyrolese, Swiss, and Vosgian mountains It forms exclu- 

 sive forests throughout P^urope and northern Asia, and its trunks are found 

 in great abundance buried in the peat bogs of Great Britain ; hence the name 

 bog fir. It grows with great rapidity in almost any soil. On account of its 

 straggling, irregular branching, it forms a picturesque rather than a beautiful 

 object ; yet it is a favorite with nurserymen and amateurs. 



Eti/mologi/. — Pitius sylvestrls maybe translated " the pine of the woods." 

 The common name, Scotch pine, would seem to indicate that its home is Scot- 

 laud, but there is no reason to believe it is indigenous there. 



Use. — The pinus sylvestris, besides being a favorite ornamental tree, is for 

 Europe what the pinus strobus is for America ; it is the red and the yellow 

 deal of England ; it enters into the structure of buildings, and is largely used 

 in naval architecture all over Europe. 



6. P. resinosa, Ait. (Red Pine.) Synonyms : P. rubra, Mx. P. Canadensiss 

 bifolia, Du Hamel. Trunk varying in size from 50 to 80 feet in height, and 

 2 feet in diameter, branching regularly ; when standing alone forming a 

 symmetrical head. Bark smooth and red. Leaves in pairs, channelled, and 

 semi-cylindrical, dark-green, 4 to 6 inches long, appearing near the ends of 

 the branches ; sheaths long. Cones egg-shaped, 2 inches long, in clusters, on 

 short peduncles ; scales unarmed ; wood fine-grained, moderately charged with 

 resin, heavy, strong, and very durable. 



Geography. — Its home is northeastern North America, from Canada to 

 southern Pennsylvania. 



Etymology. — Resinosa is from the Latin resina, resin, due to the resin- 

 bearing character of the wood, although it is one of the least resinous of the 

 pines. Rubra is from Latin ruber, red, referring to the color of the bark. 

 Canadensis bifoUa is Latin, meaning Canadian two-leaved pine. 



Use. — The wood of the red pine is hard and strong, valuable for frames 

 of buildings, and for boards and planks. It is used for flooring and wain- 

 scoting. 



7. P. rigida, Miller. (Pitch Pine.) Trunk 40 to 70 feet in height, branched 

 irregularly. Bark dark, deeply furrowed. Leaves in threes, rigid, 6 inches 

 long, sheaths short. Cones ovoid, pyramidal, in clusters ; scales tipped Avith 

 short, stout, reflexed spines ; seed nearly smooth ; cotyledons 5 ; Mood heavy, 

 with resin. 



Geography. — The P. rigida is native throughout eastern North America, 

 but north of Virginia it does not attain to its full size. In Georgia, the 

 Carolinas, Alabama, and Mississippi it is a tree 60 to 80 feet high. 



Etymology. — Rigida is from the Latin rigidus, stiff, referring to the leaf. 

 Pitch Pine owes its name to the sap which exudes from the bark. 



Use. — The pitch pine is used in the South for the manufacture of turpen- 

 tine, resin, and tar. The wood is very hard, takes a fine polish, is much used 

 for tloors and ship building, and is excellent fuel. 



