ABIljg NUMIDICA, A. PECTtNATA. 103 



Abies Numidica. — A medium-sized tree, attaining a height of 

 from 45 to 60 feet, with a trunk about 15 inches in diameter, well 

 furnished with numerous much ramified branches, forming a compact 

 and regular conical pyramid. The branches are spreading or sub- 

 erect, the older ones relatively slender, slightly deflexed, and clothed 

 with shorter leaves. The leaves are from half an inch to 1 inch long, 

 crowded, keeled beneath, marked on each side of the keel by a 

 glaucous furrow and thickened at the margin, obtuse or slightly 

 acuminate at the apex. The cones are erect, often in clusters of four 

 or five, seldom solitary, cylindrical, from 5 to 8 inches long, and If 

 to 2£ inches in diameter, and composed of reniform greyish brown 

 scales enclosing a scarious bract.* 



Habitat. — Kabylia in Algiers, near the summit, and on the northern 

 aspect of Mount Tababor at an elevation of from 4,000 to 6,000 feet, 

 sparingly interspersed with the Mount Atlas Cedar. 



Introduced into France, in 1864, by M. de Lannoy, superintendent 

 of roads and bridges in the province of Constantia; and subsequently 

 received in England. 



Abies Numidica is a beautiful tree easily distinguished by the peculiarly 

 bright and pleasing green of its foliage. It stood the severe ■winter of 

 1879 — 80 at our Coombe Wood Nursery without the slightest trace 

 of injury, and its hardiness may therefore be depended on. 



Abies pectinata. — The common Silver Fir has a tall tapering 

 trunk furnished with branches, which, with their branchlets and twigs 

 stand out quite horizontally, the entire bough having the flat frondose 

 character common to most of the members of the tribe. In young 

 trees the leaves are distinctly two-rowed, but as they grow older the 

 pectinate arrangement is more or less departed from, especially in 

 the cone-bearing branches. In every stage of growth the leaves are 

 slightly turned upwards, more so on the older trees and cone-bearing 

 branches ; they are deep green above, and marked by two silvery 

 lines beneath. The cones are cylindrical, about 6 inches long and 

 li inch in diameter, obtuse at base and apex ; before they are 

 quite full grown they are of a reddish colour, which contrasts 

 effectively with the deep green foliage. 



JBoWe^.-^Chiefly the mountain districts of central and southern 



* Abridged from Carriere, TraiU, p. 305. 



