ABIES BRACTEATA. 



01 



Mr. Lobb must speak for himself. "This beautiful and singular 

 tree forms here (he writes from the Califomian forests) the most 

 conspicuous ornament of the arborescent vegetation. On the western 

 slopes towards the sea, it occupies the deep ravines, and attains the 

 height of 120 to 150 feet, and from 1 to 2 feet in diameter; the 

 trunk is as straight as an arrow, the lower branches decumbent, the 

 branches above are numerous, short, and thickly set, forming a long 

 tapering pyramid or spire, which gives to the tree that peculiar 



appearance which is not 

 seen in any other kinds 

 of the Pine tribe. When 

 standing far apart, and 

 clear from the surround- 

 ing trees, the lower 

 branches frequently reach 

 the ground, and not a 

 portion of the trunk is 

 seen from the base to 

 the top." 



" Along the summit of 

 the central ridges, and 

 about the highest peaks, 

 in the most exposed and 

 m coldest places imaginable, 

 where no other Pine 

 makes its appearance, it 

 stands the severity of 

 the climate without the 

 slightest perceptible in- 

 jury, growing in slaty 

 rubbish, which to all 

 appearance, is incapable 

 of supporting vegetation. 

 In such situations it be- 

 comes stunted and bushy ; 

 but even there the foliage 

 maintains the same beau- 

 tiful dark green colour, and when seen at a distance, it appears more 

 like a handsomely grown Cedar, than a Pine. No doubt it is one of 

 the hardiest trees of the Califomian Vegetation, and is equally well 

 adapted for clothing the mountain tops, as the sheltered valley. ' ; 



" The cones too are quite . as singular as the growth of the tree is 

 beautiful. When fully developed, the scales, as well as the long leaf- 

 like bracts, are covered with globules of thin transparent resin, presenting 

 to the eye a curious and striking object. Douglas was mistaken in 



Fig. 15. — Gone of Abies bracteata. Natural size. 



