2 INTRODUCTION. 



with a clear explanation of the subject, we have omitted no important 

 matter of which we have any cognisance, whether of a practical 

 bearing or of scientific interest. 



The plan adopted in the following pages may be thus stated: — 



Part I. is a General Keview of the Coniferous Order. It contains a 

 brief description of the structure of Coniferous wood, the organs of vege- 

 tation and fructification, the secretions, economic properties, diseases, and 

 accidents ; the distribution of the Coniferse over the globe ; and lastly, 

 the scientific arrangement and nomenclature, as given by the most eminent 

 botanists, who have studied the Order. 



Part II. contains* a Synopsis of Genera, species and varieties suitable, 

 for cultivation in Great Britain. It corresponds in form to the original 

 Synopsis of Knight and Perry. 



Part III. contains lists, of the species and varieties suitable for the 

 different purposes for which Coniferee are planted, with some hints as 

 to their treatment, &c. 



The arrangement adopted in Part II. has been especially framed 

 with regard to practical convenience rather than in strict conformity 

 with the scientific Divisions and Sub-divisions of the Order given in 

 Part I., although these have been kept constantly in view throughout. 

 Genera and " species, whose habitat is tropical or sub-tropical, and which 

 will not therefore stand the severity of our winters without protection, 

 and others unsuitable for ornamental or landscape planting, or of no 

 economic value, are but very briefly noticed. The former are omitted 

 altogether from the Synoptic tables of the Genera that precede the 

 descriptions of their contained species and varieties. 



The first column in these tables contains the scientific names under 

 which the trees are described ; these names are, in all cases, those 

 which appear to us to be sanctioned by the greatest weight of authority, 

 and they are also, in most instances, those generally adopted in this 

 country. In the second column are inserted the synonyms still in use, 

 with the names of their authors ; obsolete synonyms are purposely 

 omitted. The third column contains the popular name of each tree 

 or shrub, where a recognised one exists; in other cases, the scientific 

 name is expressed in its equivalent English. The habitat given in the 

 next column is referred to the most important or best known country 

 or locality of which the tree or shrub is native ; in the popular descrip- 

 tions following, the habitat is more precisely stated. The hei<dit in 

 feet in the last column is approximately that attained by the tree in 



