PINACEAE 27 



rounded, notched or pointed at the apex, sessile, green and seldom 

 stomatiferoua, grooved on the upper surface, silvery white beneath, 

 spirally attached, though on horizontal branches apparently arranged in 



2 ranks due to the twisting of their bases, in the upper fertile branches 

 crowded and more or less projecting from all sides, persistent usually for 



3 or 4 to 8 or 10 years, and in falling away, leaves flat circular scars on 

 the twigs. Flowers axillary, appearing in the spring; the staminate 

 aments pendulous, numerous, on the lower side of the branches, oval or 

 cylindrical, with yellow or scarlet 2-celIed anthers surmounted by a knob- 

 like connective. Pistillate flowers usually on the topmost branches of 

 the tree, erect, ovoid, with numerous imbricated scales, each with 2 

 ovules at the base. Fruit a cone, ovoid cylindric, the scales shorter or 

 longer than their mucronate bracts, deciduous with the seeds, leaving 

 the central axis of the cone persistent on the tree. Seeds with an oblique, 

 dilated wing. Cotyledons 2. 



About 25 species in the cool regions of the N. Temperate zone; about 



4 well defined species in China. The genus is characterized by linear 

 leaves which leave smooth circular scars on the twig when they fall, 

 and by an erect cone whose scales are deciduous at maturity. Firs 

 often attain great size and frequently form extensive pure forests. The 

 wood is soft and brittle, of less economic value than those of the spruces 

 and pines. Propagated by seeds. The seeds are not as viable as those 

 of the pine, and can not be kept for more than 1 or 2 years. In nursery 

 plantations, the seedlings are usually protected by half shade. The fir 

 will undoubtedly take an important place in the reforestation of China, 

 and in this connection the European species Abies picea is worthy of 

 experimentation . 



Abies delavayi Franchet. 



(A. fargesii Francbet) 



(A. faxoniana Eehder & Wilson) 



A tree 7-15 m. tall, with red-brown and usually shining shoots. 

 Leaves light green and generally obtuse; sometimes notched at the apex, 

 the margins usually rolled back towards the midrib below so as to form 

 in cross section a figure 00 . The cones are purplish, oblong-ovoid to 

 oblong-cylindrical, broadest at the base, but slightly tapering towards 

 the apex, from 7-11 cm. long and 3.6-5.5 cm. wide, averaging about 

 7 or 8 cm. long. The bracts are oblong-spatulate with a short abrupt 

 point usually projecting beyond the scale. 



