122 



FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 



rarity, as well as because it is the most curious fir tree in the world, it deserves 

 every protection and encouragement. 



Longevity. — Very little is known now of its longevity ; it is believed, however, 

 to be only moderately long-lived. A tree 22f inches in diameter showed an age 

 of 123 years. Further records are required. 



Fig. 4.Y — Abies vcnusta: a, lower branch ; b, leaf twice natural size. Lower crown foliage. 



Central California coast region ; mainly in Monterey County. Scattered in patches 

 of several or a few hundred trees in heads of canyons on both slopes of seaward part 

 of Santa Lucia Mountains (Monterey National Forest), and at elevations of 2,200 to 

 5.000 feet ; probably once extended higher up on slopes and possibly covered summits 

 of range. Extends from Uncle Sam Mountain southward to Mount Mars (corresponds 

 to Point Sur and Punta Gorda on coast) in watersheds of Sur, Carmelo, Arroyo Seco, 



