GROUPS OF PLANTS. 8i 



Some of the pines yield edible seeds whicli have been used 

 by the Indians of Western America : as the edible or " nut pine " 

 of California and New Mexico {Pinus edulis) ; Piiius monophylla, 

 discovered by Colonel Fremont in Northern California; Pinus 

 Jeifreyi of Northern California ; and Pinus Pinea of Europe, the 

 seeds of the latter being used like almonds and known as " pig- 

 none." The seeds of Pinus Lambertiana (Fig. 51, C) of Califor- 

 nia are baked before being used as food. This latter species is 

 also known as the sugar pine as it yields a manna-like product. 

 A manna is also yielded by Cedrus Libani and Larix decidua. The 

 latter is known as " Briancon Manna," and contains melizitose. 

 The bark of some species furnishes valuable tanning material, as 

 that of the hemlock spruce (Tsuga canadensis) . 



The Coniferse yield large quantities of volatile oils, resins and 

 allied products which are used both in medicine and the arts. 

 A number of them yield turpentine (see drug), as Pinus palus- 

 tris (Fig. 47, B, C), Pinus Tceda (Fig. 51, F), Pinus hetero- 

 phylla and Pinus echinata. Larix decidua of the Alps and Car- 

 pathian mountains yields Venice turpentine. Abies balsamea is 

 the source of Canada turpentine or balsam of fir; Picea Mariana 

 or black spruce yields spruce gum largely used in the manufacture 

 of chewing gum, and is also the source of spruce beer. Picea 

 excelsa or Norway spruce yields Burgundy pitch (see drug). 

 Abies alba or white fir tree yields the Strasburger turpentine. 

 Canada pitch is the resinous exudation from the common hemlock 

 {Tsuga canadensis) . Sandarac is yielded by CaUitris quadrivalvis 

 found growing in Northwestern Africa. Volatile oils are yielded 

 by a number of the Coniferse, of which the following may be 

 mentioned : Juniperus Sabina yielding oil of savin ; luniperus 

 communis yielding oil of juniper, both of which are used in medi- 

 cine. The remains of Coniferse {Picea, etc.) are often found as 

 fossils, as the fossil resin amber, which is used in the arts, and on 

 distillation yields a volatile oil having medicinal properties. 



ANGIOSPERMS. 



General Characters. — The Angiosperms constitute the 

 most conspicuous portion of the flora, embrace the greatest 

 variety of forms, and are the most highly organized members 



6 



