154 A MANUAL 01* THE CJ0NIFEK.2E. 



in the different countries into which it has been introduced. At the 

 Cape of Good Hope, it has made itself at home as much as any indi- 

 genous tree, spreading spontaneously over the sandy plains in the 

 neighbourhood of Cape Town, and in other parts of the colony. It 

 has become quite a common tree in many parts of Australia, New 

 Zealand, &c. It has also found its way into China, Japan, northern 

 India, and many other places, whence it has been frequently re-intro- 

 duced into England as new species under the following names, which 

 sufficiently indicate their origin : P. nepalensis (Royle), P. chinensis 

 (Knight), P. jcuponica (Hort.), P. Novce Hollandice (Loddiges), P. Novas 

 Zealandicp, (Hort.), P. Sancta Helenica (Loudon). 



Pinaster, literally "Pine-star," in allusion to the rayed arrangement 

 of the cones on the branches. 



Pinus pinea, commonly known as the Stone Pine. In southern 

 Europe it is usually a tall and picturesque tree, with a trunk clear 

 of branches to a height of 50 or 60 feet. The branches are spread- 

 ing, and the branchlets generally ascending, which being confined to 

 the top of the tree, give the head a parasol-like form. The leaves 

 are about 6 inches long, semi- cylindrical, rather rigid, with the edges 

 slightly scabrous, and of a deep green colour. The cones, which 

 are from 4J to 6 inches long and about 3 inches in diameter, 

 are composed of stout hard ligneous scales, each containing two 

 edible seeds enclosed in a very hard horny shell ; they are of a 

 shining fawn or yellowish-brown colour, attain maturity in the third 

 season, and are persistent several years. 



Habitat. — Italy and the Mediterranean region generally, both in 

 Europe and Africa; also Portugal, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. 



Introduced into England prior to 1548, as it is mentioned in 

 Turner's Booh of Herbs, published in that year. 



^ The wood of Pinus pinea is whitish, moderately resinous, and very 



light; it is used in Italy and the south of France for joinery and 



other constructive work. The edible seeds are much used by the 

 Italian peasantry. 



The extremely picturesque appearance of the Stone Pine in its 

 maturity, has caused it to be much planted in public and private 

 gardens in the south of Europe, and especially in Italy, from a very 

 early period. In the neighbourhood of Rome are many fine' and 

 venerable specimens from 70 to 75 feet high, which always attract 

 the attention of visitors. Artists have frequently availed themselves of 

 its peculiar and striking form to give it a prominent place in the 

 foreground of their pictures ; and thus we often find it associated with 



