5oi -TRANS. ST. LOUIS ACAD. SClEKCfi. 



cells, which is externally indicated by a green stripe dividing the bands of 

 stomata, so that these leaves show ^ lower white bands. Cones 6-8 inches 

 long, 2i-3i thick, purple ; bracts lanceolate, shorter than the broad scale 

 (height to width as 6 : lo) ; wing of slender seed very oblique, wider than 

 long; the only seed examined had lo cotyledons. 



Many years ago it was suggested by Mr. McNab of the Edinburgh gar- 

 den, that nobilis and magnifica might be forms of the same species; some 

 seedsmen of California seem, also, to have coine to this conclusion; and 

 now Messrs. Hooker and Gray, who a few months ago enjoyed the oppor- 

 tunity of examining both on their native mountains, incline to the same 

 opinion ; magnifica would thus be the southern, short-bracted, and nobi- 

 lis the northern, long-bracted form. It is quite probable that the length of 

 the bracts may vary; we know it oi nobilis, but it is doubtful whether this 

 could be the case to such an extent as to permit us to unite both species. 

 In magnifica no lengthening of the bracts has been observed thus far, 

 and in nobilis they never, I believe, become shorter than the scale. But 

 besides this, I confess, rather doubtful difference in the length of an or- 

 gan of minor importance, the flatter and grooved leaves of the young 

 nobilis, and the higher and proportionately narrower scales of this species* 

 together with the smaller number of cotyledons (if constant), seem to indi- 

 cate specific distinction. Further explorations must show whether mag- 

 nifica, or anything like it, grows in the regions which we know as the 

 home oi nobilis. 



