212 PICE A, OB 



No. 12. PiCEA Religiosa, Loudon, the Sacred Silver Fir. 



Syn. Abies religiosa, Limdley. 

 ,, „ hirteUa, Lindley. 

 „ Picea hirtella, Loudon. 

 „ Pinus hirtella, Humboldt. 

 „ „ religiosa, Humholdt. 



Leaves solitary, from one to one inch and a half long, linear, 

 and rather thinly set on the branches; quite entire, bluntly 

 pointed, and rather irregularly two-rowed, flat, deep green 

 a,bove and silvery beneath, especially when young, but when 

 old both sides are nearly the same colour. Branches rather 

 slender, and when young covered with hairs ; but when full- 

 grown and old, quite smooth. Cones erect, with a short foot- 

 stalk, roundish egg-shaped, five inches long and two and a half 

 wide, and of a purple colour when young. Scales broad, 

 rounded, or kidney-shaped on the upper margin, one inch and 

 a half broad, entire, and rather thick at the margin. Bracteas 

 longer than the scales, projecting, and reflexed backwards over 

 the scales, very broad, short-pointed, and with an even edge. 

 Seeds rather large, angular, and soft, with transparent wings. 

 Seed-leaves five in number. 



An elegant tree, attaining a height of 150 feet, with a smooth 

 brown bark, and rather thin of branches. 



It is found on the mountains of Mexico. Schiede found it 

 upon the cold mountains of Orizaba, at the highest limit of 

 arborescent vegetation. Hartweg found it in various places 

 in Mexico between 15° and 22° of south latitude, but its chief 

 range is about 19° of south latitude, and at an elevation of 

 9000 feet. He also found it on the Campanario, the highest 

 point of the mountains of Angangueo, five or six feet in dia- 

 meter, and 150 feet high. 



It is the Oyamel of the Mexicans, and is largely used for de- 

 corating their churches on particular religious observances. 



Jt is more or less tender, and has the following variety : — 



