CHRISTMAS TREES 313 



know what differences among them are really recognized 

 by botanists, and what are the correct names of those 

 which one commonly sees. Having gathered that in- 

 formation, I propose to impart it^ as far as may be 

 consistent with brevity, to my readers, though I am 

 afraid that to some it will prove a dull business. The 

 order Conifers, from which the yew trees (Taxaceae) 

 are excluded, is divided into four families. These are : 

 (i) the family Abietinse, which comprises the true pines, 

 and fir trees, and the cedars ; (2) the family Araucarianae, 

 which includes the Monkey puzzle of South America 

 and Australia, and the Dammar tree of New Zealand ; 

 (3) the family Taxodinffi, which is best known by the 

 so-called Wellingtonia, or Sequoia, but includes several 

 other genera and species ; and (4) the family Cupressinae, 

 in which the juniper, cypress, and " arbor vitae," or 

 Thuya, are placed. 



The form and size of the frequently needle-like 

 leaves of coniferze are not of so much importance in 

 indicating the affinities of these plants as one might 

 expect, although their grouping either in 'tufts or in rows 

 is a matter of significance. In some of them the 

 " needles," or leaves, are long and narrow (Abietin^) ;■ 

 in others they are broad and leaf-like (Araucarianae) ; 

 in others they are all or most of them reduced to mere 

 ridges or short scales set quite closely to the leaf-bearing 

 branch (many Cupressinae and Taxodinae). It is not 

 possible to give, without going into botanical minutiae, 

 the items of structure by which the four families of 

 conifers are distinguished from one another. It is best 

 for the nature-lover who is not an adept in botanical 

 details to think of them as grouped each round one 

 well-known species. Thus the Abietinae are grouped 

 round the spruce pine, the Araucarianae round the 



