02 A MANUAL OF tHB COMtfERiE. 



saying this Fir does not occur below 6,000 feet of elevation; on the 

 contrary it is found as low as 3,000 feet, where it meets Taxodium 

 (Sequoia) sempervirens." 



Sir W. Hooker adds : " Perhaps the introduction of no Conifer, not 

 even that of the Deodar, has excited a more lively interest in horti- 

 culture and arboriculture than that' of the present species with its 

 porcupine-like fruits." 



In less than three months after the publication of the above, in 

 the Botanical Magazine, the announcement of the successful introduction 

 of Wellingtonia gigantea by Lobb, appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle, 

 with Dr. Lindley's description of the tree; the lively interest alluded 

 to by Sir W. Hooker was thence immensely heightened, and at once 

 transferred to and concentrated on the "Big Tree." Abies bracteata 

 receded to the back ground, and has never since been again to the 

 front; its growth in England in its young state is slow, compared 

 with that of the Wellingtonia. The introduction of both trees is 

 still fresh ha the memory of hundreds of horticulturists as great events 

 in the annals of their profession, and they can now look upon large 

 trees of Wellingtonia growing in this country ; but there are no 

 specimens of the grand Fir from the Santa Lucia that much exceed 

 the height of 25 feet, and they are " few and far between." It is 

 perfectly hardy when planted in exposed and high situations ; if 

 . planted in low and sheltered spots, it starts into growth early in 

 spring, and the young shoots are frequently cut off by late frosts. 

 It does not appear "to acquire the vigour natural to it on its native 

 mountain until it has been established for some years in situations 

 favourable to its growth. Unfortunately, too, seedling plants are still 

 scarce on account of the difficulty in procuring cones. It is, not 

 however, too much to affirm, that while the Wellingtonia is looked 

 upon with a feeling of interest not unmixed with curiosity, A. bracteata 

 will always be regarded with genuine admiration. 



The specific name bracteata refers to the bracts of the cone, which 

 in this species are developed into long rigid leaf-like linear spines, 

 2 inches long, and slightly curved inwards. 



Abies cephalonica is a tree of medium size, not attaining a 

 height of more than 60 feet in its native country. The branches 

 spread out to a great distance so as to form a very broad tree in 

 proportion to its height ; the principal branches are produced in 

 regular tiers, but the secondary ones branch from all sides of the 

 primaries. The leaves are very stiff, dagger-shaped, and terminate 

 in a sharp prickle; they are closely distributed over the stems, but 

 both on the lower branches and cone-bearing branchlets they may 

 be found distinctly two-rowed. The cones, which are scarcely dis« 



