THE SILVER FIR. 203 
Its timber is used for the purposes of common deal. The 
Tesinous extract of this tree in its native country is known 
under the name of Balm of Gilead, or Canadian balsam, and a 
medicinal preparation of its turpentine is said to possess great 
efficacy in certain stages of consumption. The tree yields its 
resinous substance more profusely than any other of the 
Conifers. The bark, buds, and cones are often literally 
encased with turpentine, which is of the most penetrating 
taste, and highly odoriferous. It exudes copiously on the 
slightest incision, and the species appears to inherit an early 
decay from an overflow of resinous fluid. 
P. nobilis (Loudon): The Noble Silver Fir.—This is a 
most beautiful species, but of very slow growth when young. 
It was introduced into England by seed in 1831, and in 
October 1837 the largest plant in England did not exceed 
the height of from one to two feet. At that time the 
price of plants was three guineas each. Douglas, who intro- 
duced it, says it is a majestic tree, forming vast forests on the 
mountains of northern California, and producing timber of 
excellent quality. He adds, “I spent three weeks in a forest 
of this tree, and day by day could not cease to admire it.” 
Of the original introduction, some of the plants came to the 
north of Scotland from the Royal Horticultural Society. One 
at Coul House, Ross-shire, has attained the height of 43 feet 
3 inches, and the girth of 4 feet 6 inches above the swell of 
the roots, the growth of thirty-three years. This species, on 
account of its beautiful form and foliage, will no doubt be 
always esteemed as an ornament. Seedling plants are now 
getting plentiful throughout the country. The produce of 
home-grown seed and plants may be had at a few shillings 
each; ‘but although instances are recorded of plants, some- 
what advanced, having yielded top-shoots three feet in length 
in one season, yet, on the whole, the growth of the tree is 
inferior to that of the common silver fir. The mode of 
cultivation bestowed on the common silver fir is suitable for 
this tree, and it is said that the timber of both species is 
very similar. 
