FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 



195 



means of disseminating the seed, which otherwise would not be carried far 

 from the mother tree. Seed-leaves, 2; flat, short, and pointed. Nothing can 

 now be said of the later growth and characteristics of seedlings, which have 

 not been fully studied. Wood, fine-grained, clear rose-red, becoming gradually 



Fig. 76. — Taxu8 brevifolia: a, fruit, lower side. 



duller with exposure to light; dense, rather heavy, and remarkably durable 

 in an unprotected state. Little commercial importance can be attached to the 

 wood, on account of its scarcity. Its attractive color, durability, and elasticity 

 render it useful mainly for such articles as canoe paddles, bows, and small 



