THE TRUE PINES. 279 



on the old ones. Branches slender, smooth, numerous, hut 

 rather irregularly placed on the stem, with the ends rather 

 pendulous, and covered with a smooth, grayish, lead-coloured 

 bark. Cones ovate, oblong, tapering to an obtuse point, four 

 inches long, and one inch and three-quarters broad, with a 

 smooth polished surface, of a pale brown colour, mostly grow- 

 ing in clusters of from three to five in number round the stem 

 and leading branches, slightly incurved, and pointing down- 

 wards. Scales slightly elevated, particularly on the exposed 

 side, widened at the point, much depressed, flattish, unequally 

 four-sided, and with a small prickle in the centre when 

 young. Seeds small, with rather broad wings, nearly an inch 

 long. 



A fine graceful tree, growing from 60 to 80 feet high, 

 regularly furnished with spreading branches and drooping 

 leaves, somewhat resembling a beautiful shining green foun- 

 tain. 



It is found plentifully in the colder regions of Mexico, particu- 

 larly on the Real del Monte chain of mountains, at " Guajalote," 

 and the " Sumate," on the highest peaks, at elevations of from 

 8000 to 9500 feet above the sea. There are the following 

 varieties : — 



PiNUS PATULA STEICTA, Benthom. 

 Syn. Pinus patula erecta, Rort. 

 This is a more slender tree, with shorter and stifFer foliage, 

 which does not droop, and only a little spreading, but with 

 cones only half the size of those of the species. 



It is found on the Real del Monte range of mountains in 

 'Mexico, a tree from 50 to 60 feet high. 



Pinus patula maceocabpa, Schiede. 



Leaves in threes, but frequently in fives, slender, and very 

 like those of the species. Cones very large, from six to seven 

 inches long, and two inches broad; glossy, pale brown in 



