110 PINACE^. 



cular about what they were underground, than what they appeared to 

 he above ground. 



The Corsican Pine is indigenous in Greece and Spain; nay, through- 

 out eastern and southern Europe ; and, found as it is in so many dif- 

 ferent and very dissimilar altitudes, climates, and soUs, it varies much 

 in its dimensions, and is to be found ranging in heights from thirty 

 to one hundred and fifty feet ; arriving at maturity in from fifty 

 to eighty years; but will, under favourable conditions, produce both 

 quality and quantity of timber fit for any purpose, even the architec- 

 ture of ships and houses, in from thirty to forty years ; and for more 

 temporary or ordinary rural purposes in from twenty to thirty years. 

 It seems somewhat predisposed to inconstancy in the size, form, and 

 colour of its leaves and cones ; which, doubtless, has been induced by 

 the soils and climates in which they have been produced ; and which 

 cause has led to much confusion in its cultivation and nomenclature, 

 for it is to be found in catalogues and collections under many specific 

 names, and in many quasi-species, varieties, and sub-varieties. 



Whenever, therefore, it is intended to plant this tree for profitable 

 or good timber, great care should be used in selecting the supply of the 

 seed from the prototype or true kind, and, whenever practicable, to 

 select our cones from trees upon the highest altitudes, and in the 

 coldest climates of which it has a native habitat, until we have it in 

 such quantity, and of such an age, as to enable us to obtain our sup- 

 plies of seed from home-groAvn trees, for when we can do this, I am 

 perfectly satisfied that, for general utility as a forest tree, this Pine, if 

 it did not surpass, would at least equal, our native Scotch Pine, and be 

 found to be one of the best and most suitable species of the genus 

 Pimis for the planting the many thoiisands of acres of waste and 

 unprofitable, nay, sadly neglected lands, so frequently to be met with 

 in Albion's Isles. 



Of its many quasi-species I may here mention Calahrica, Carmanica, 

 PaUasiana, etc., which are frequently confounded with Corsica, and 

 sometimes substituted for it, but all of which should never be planted 

 for producing profitable or good timber while the prototype or true 

 kind can be obtained ; and of its many varieties I select for commen- 

 dation : Contorta, (twisted-branched,) Pendula, (pendulous-branched,) 

 Pygmcea, (very dwarf,) Suh-vindis, (very light green leaved,) and Varie- 

 gata, (the variegated leaved,) as hardy, useiul, and ornamental shrubs 

 and trees. I may also remark, that this Pine is very generally known 

 as PinvyS Laricio. 



