246 SELECT PLANTS POR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



and northern parts of the American continent. A straight 

 slender tree, 70 feet high ; the wood is of a reddish colour and 

 highly esteemed. 



Finns Sabiuiaua, Douglas.* 



Californian Nut Pine or White Pine. Most frequent on the 

 western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, intermixed with other 

 trees; 150 feet high; stem 3 to 5 feet in diameter. The 

 wood is pale and soft ; according to Dr. Gribbons it is, when 

 seasoned, hard and durable, with a close and twisted grain, 

 and contains much resin; the clustered heavy cones attain 

 a length of one foot. The seeds are edible. They are pro- 

 duced in great profusion, and formed formerly a large por- 

 tion of the winter food of the native tribes. Proves in dry 

 localities of Victoria to be of quick growth. 



Pinus serotina, Michaux. 



Pond Pine. Southern States of North America, in black 

 morassy soil, principally near the sea-coast. It is 50 feet 

 high; stem 18 inches in diameter. The wood is soft. 



Firms Sibirica, Turczaninow. (P. Pichta, Fischer.) 



Siberian Pitch Fir. On the Altai Mountains ; it reaches a 

 height of 50 feet. 



Pinus silvestris, Linne.* 



Scotch Fir, Foehre. Middle and Northern Europe, up to 70° 

 north latitude, and North Asia, thriving best in sandy soil. 

 Of all trees the one which needs the least of mineral aliment 

 from the soil, hence adapted for pure sand, where it forms 

 twice as much humus in the same time as Eobinig, pseudacacia 

 or Poplars, while its wood is much more valuable. More easily 

 transplanted than any other species (Wesseley). A very 

 valuable tree, fuUy 100 feet high, growing to the age of 

 about 120 years. It is important for masts and spars. The 

 Bed Baltic, Norway or Riga deals are obtained from this 

 Pine, as well as a large portion of the European Pine-tar. 

 Pine cones have in France come into use for tanning. Proves 

 well adapted even for the drier parts of Victoria. The leaves 

 of Pines can be well converted into material for pillows and 

 mattresses, with the great recommendation of healthiness 

 for such a purpose. All Fir forests are antimiasmatic and 

 salubrious for hectic patients, in consequence of the di- 

 oxyde of hydrogen involved from their terebinthine emana- 

 tions. 



