XXXVI.] FIRS. 385 



very resinous wood used for torches in Burmah. P. 

 Gerardiana is found in North Afghanistan. 



Of the Firs of India, the most important is Picea 

 Smithiana, the Spruce Fir of the North- West Himalayas, 

 Sikkim, &c., a tree with considerable resemblances to 

 our European Spruce both in habit and in the qualities 

 of its timber. The nearly white, non-resinous, soft, and 

 easily-worked wood is largely used in Simla and other 

 places for packing cases and rough carpentry, planking, 

 &c. 



The Himalayan Silver Fir i^Abies Webbiana), which 

 is found in similar districts to the last, is also in many 

 respects the representative of our western species of 

 Abies. Its white, soft, non-resinous, and easily-worked 

 wood is not durable if exposed, but is used in some 

 districts for shingles and construction. 



Larix Griffithii is the Himalayan Larch, found in 

 Nepal, Sikkim, &c., at elevations of 8,000 to 12,000 

 feet. The timber is much like our own Larch. 



The Himalayan Cypress {Cupressus torulosa) yields a 

 brown, streaked, fragrant, and moderately hard wood, 

 used for building and other purposes. 



Other Indian Conifers are the Yew {Taxus baccata), 

 several species of Juniper, and Podocarpus bracteata. 



The more important Conifers of the Cape and Natal 

 are the Yellow-woods {Podocarpus Thunbergii and P. 

 elongatd) . 



The former, known as Upright Yellow-wood, is a 

 large tree of first-class importance, yielding timber of a 

 light and soft, but fairly strong and elastic character, 

 easily split and worked, and used generally for all kinds 

 of planks, beams, rafters, &c., and, properly treated with 

 antiseptics, it makes good sleepers. The latter is known 



2 c 



