186 THE PINE TREE. 
which was certainly not the largest, was of the following 
dimensions. Its entire height was 215 feet; its circum- 
ference at three feet from the ground was 57 feet 9 inches. 
The trunk is usually straight, and destitute of branches about 
two-thirds of its height. The species covers large districts 
about 100 miles from the ocean, in latitude 43° N., and ex- 
tends as far to the south as 40°.” It is added, “ It grows 
where the soil consists entirely of pure sand, and in appear- 
ance incapable of supporting vegetation ; here it attains its 
greatest size, and -perfects its fruit in most abundance.” I 
have seen imported cones nearly 18 inches long, but these 
are generally badly filled, and I have seldom found among 
them a cone that yielded ten seeds fit for germination. The 
plants are perfectly hardy in the climate of North Britain ; 
even when only one-year seedlings they withstand the in- 
fluence of the severest winters. The young plant arises of 
an elegant appearance, with leaves of a grassy green about four 
inches long, and five in a sheath; its yearly shoot is shorter 
than that of the Weymouth pine, and seldom exceeds 12 
inches long, and is well matured before winter ; and the plant 
when only a few years of age becomes remarkable for its great 
girth in proportion to its height. The specimens of the tree 
which J have seen in this country in rich soil with shelter give 
little promise of ever attaining a great size; and I expect that 
if ever it becomes great in Britain, it will be when placed on 
dry sandy links like that on which Douglas found it indigen- 
ous. The scarcity and consequent price of young plants have 
caused them to be inserted in situations too rich for their 
development, where they are very apt to be infested with the 
pine-beetle. The timber is said to be white, closely grained, 
and full of turpentine. 
