Foreign Notices : — Spain. 205 



in the Western Pyrenees, where it ranges on both sides of the chain. The 

 P. sylvestris grows above it, but now in small quantity, and may be seen in the 

 Lake of Gaube, where a scrap of native forest yet exists, owing to its having 

 remained in possession of the government. In it the three species of pine, 

 some of them of great antiquity, may be seen growing together, the uncinata 

 gradually taking the higher place. 



" P. iincindta. — The upper zone of this chain is formed entirely of the P. un- 

 cinata, which is a species hitherto almost unknown, or unattended to, and which 

 is certainly one of the most valuable trees in the European flora. The name 

 was given in consequence of a peculiarly hooked form of the scales, which is 

 extremely marked, especially just before maturity. This character has been 

 disputed ; but a very little practice and observation will enable any one to pro- 

 nounce without hesitation, on seeing the different colour and character of 

 the tree from those of its congener the sylvestris. The cone is rougher, and 

 of a different and more rugged texture, than that of the sylvestris, or any other 

 I am acquainted with. An additional proof of the hardiness of the tree is 

 afforded by the early ripening of the cones. I gathered some in the Valley of 

 Andorre in July, which were full formed, at a season when those of southern 

 climates are yet far behind in vegetation. The reason of this admirable 

 arrangement is evident. In these elevated regions the season of vegetation is 

 so short, that the operations of fructification must be proportionably accele- 

 rated, to insure their completion. The seed from these cones vegetated; and 

 it is of great importance to be aware of this fact, because the collecting the 

 seed of this species is difficult, in many seasons, from the early falling of the 

 snow. The rule I followed was, to select the cones when they had assumed a 

 brown green, and cut dry to the knife. On opening them in this state, the 

 seeds will be found quite formed, in the state of a green almond when it is eaten. 

 It is of the last importance that they should not be taken out of the cones 

 until the planting season, and that they should be kept dry. I had a quantity 

 spoiled by some wet moss, from other plants being imprudently packed with 

 them, in my absence. The port and bearing, as well as colour, are quite 

 different from those of any other species. The form, where the tree is fairly 

 developed, is round and massy, frequently resembling that of some of the 

 deciduous trees, the long arms sweeping the ground. The foliage is longer, 

 and much more tangled, than that of the Scotch pine, and the green much more 

 intense. It is so dark, that the Spanish woodmen distinguish it by the name 

 o( pino negro, the two varieties of the sylvestris being called bianco and roxo. 

 The growth, as far as I could judge, appeared to be about the same, or of 

 rather greater, rapidity than that of the Scotch pine. The wood is highly 

 resinous, so much so that it serves for torches ; and it is reputed in the 

 Pyrenees to be of very great duration. A peculiar quality, which, if it suc- 

 ceed in other respects, will make it invaluable in some parts of England, is 

 that of resisting the wind. In the most elevated and inclement regions, where 

 I have observed the tree in every form and situation, I never saw an instance" 

 where the wind appeared to affect it, nor where it showed a weather side. At 

 the upper limits of its habitat, where it is compelled to yield to the law of 

 nature, and lower its ' diminished head,' the same rule is observed, and, instead 

 of the stunted and starveling appearance of the rest of the tribe in similar 

 situations, it assumes the shape of a furze bush, presenting an impenetrable 

 and bristling front of dark spicula on every side, the stem or branches being 

 quite undiscoverable. This is the species to which the name of pyrenaica 

 ought to have been given, it being, as far as observations have yet been made, 

 peculiar to that chain. It may be expected to form a valuable addition to our 

 forest trees ; and it is singular that it should have hitherto been nearly un- 

 noticed. It is mentioned in Sweet's catalogue as introduced in 1820; but, in 

 the botanical garden at Glasnevin, near Dublin, is an individual of much 

 longer standing. I have not seen that tree since I visited the Pyrenees, but 

 I have little doubt, from the recollection of it, that it is the right sort. I 



