This is undoubtedly the finest of the Fir tribe. I ani indebted to the kindness of my friend Dr. Walhch for 

 excellent specimens of it. It was discovered by Captain W. S. Webb, a distinguished traveller, and a zealous 

 investigator of natural history, deservedly known for his admirable survey of the Himalaya Alps. I have, at 

 various times, received seeds of it from Dr. Wallich, but their vegetable power has always been destroyed. 

 It is very much to be regretted that no plants of this splendid fir have been raised in this countiy, as it would 

 prove a most valuable acquisition to our lawns, and likewise a tree of ^eat utility, from its fine timber, which 

 even equals in the texture qf its ^Vftip apd iu pdpvir ithe :Be^mu,daf> .c^dftr fJuniperus Bermudiana, Linn.) 

 I have received a very fine specimen of the timber from my often-mentioned fi-iend Dr. Wallich. The seeds 

 of this species possess a greater portion of resin, and a stronger turpentine smell, than any other with which 

 I am acquainted. 



I shall subjoin the following highly interesting ejitracts, ,i;espeQtipg this Fir, from letters received from 

 Captain Webb, during his residence in Nepal, and by Dr. Wallich transmitted to me. " This purple-coned 

 Pine is called Oumur. It attains a height of 80 or 90 feet, with a diameter of the stem near the ground of 

 3 to 4 feet. The cone about Q- inches long, and \\ inch in diameter, is produced on the extremity of the 

 -shoots. 'The leaves are about one inch long,;of a beautiful bright green, having a white stripe along the centre. 

 The wood is used for planes. 'Theifruit, in an incipient state, is attached to the specimens, and is said to 

 yield at full growth an Indigo or purple pigment by expression. The silvery hue of its bark, the beau- 

 tiful contrast of the leaves with the rich purple of the cone, glittering w\\\). globules of ;tran^parqflt xesiq, 

 produce in combination one of the most striking objects which can well be imagined ; it is entitled to 

 .prec^fteRce for oraamqntal , purposes, and would, I.dpubt not, be thought.a desirable .^cquisitifin in England." 



EXPLANATION OF TABLE 2. 



B, B, B. Branches bearing male catkins. 



C. 

 D. 



E, E. 

 F. 

 G. 



a 

 I. 



Female catkin. 



Scale of the female catkin. 



Anthers. 

 Leaf. 



r 



'Portion of a ripe cone shewing the rachis, to which the scales are 

 attached. 



Scale of the cones, shewing the seeds. 



Seed, 



