SEEDS Of CONIFEROtJS PLANTS. 2? 



the different genera, and even in species included in the same 

 genus. Thus, in Pinus, they are generally ovoid or obovoid with 

 the greater diameter of the smaller seeds, as those of P. Strobus 

 not more than one-fifth of an inch, while those of P. Sabiniana 

 are almost as large as a filbert. In Abies and Cedrus they are 

 broadly wedge-shaped; in Taxodium, angular; in Sequoia, disc-like 

 and compressed; in some species of Cypress, ear-shaped, &c. In 

 Araucaria imbricata, the scale, bract, and seed all coalesce into an 

 elongated wedge-like form. 



It is a very remarkable fact that some of the largest of trees spring 

 from the smallest of seeds. Thus, the gigantic Sequoias of California, 

 the Wellingtonia, and the Ked Wood have seeds less than one-tenth 

 of an inch in diameter, and each seed contains no more matter than 

 a grain of mustard seed. The seeds of the Deodar Cedar are smaller 

 than those of some of our garden herbs, and the seeds of the Hemlock 

 Firs are among the smallest of tree seeds. The seeds of Pinus 

 monophylla and P. koraiensis, both low trees, are half as large again 

 as those of their congener P. Lambertiana, which towers to ten times 

 their height, and many other instances might be cited. The larger 

 seeds are edible, and although the resinous flavour is never entirely 

 absent, it may -be got rid of by boiling or roasting; they are then not 

 only palatable, but even agreeable. The seeds of Araucaria imbricata, 

 Pinus Sabiniana, P. Lambertiana, P. longifolia, P. pinea, and some 

 other species, are all used as food by the inhabitants of the countries 

 of which these trees are native ; and from the seeds of Pinus Cembra 

 is expressed a valuable oil used for lamps. 



Under cultivation, and sown in the open ground, the seeds of most 

 of the hardy kinds germinate within six or eight weeks after being 

 sown, and not unfrequently less under favourable circumstances. During 

 the first season the growth of the seedling is slow, rising not more 

 than an inch or two above the ground, and having no more leaves 

 than can be easily counted; it is not till the second or third year, 

 and some kinds still later, that a decided push upwards takes place. 



The seed of each species produces plants " after its kind," but 

 innumerable departures from a fixed type are of constant occurrence, 

 and many of them so remarkable, that were their origin unknown, 

 they would, on superficial glance, be taken for quite distinct kinds. 

 Among such may be noted the Irish Yew, Clanbrasil's Fir, the erect 

 Lawson's Cypress, and the Whipcord Arbor Vitse. Besides these, 

 which may be called extreme forms, every bed of seedling plants 

 shows numberless variations in habit, foliage, or some minor particular, 

 Coniferse, therefore, like many of the lower forms of vegetation, as 



