THE STONE PINE 143 
to 1548 because it is mentioned in Turner’s “ Names 
of Herbes,” published in that year. The passage in 
question runs as follows :— 
“Pinus, as Theodore translateth, is called in greeke Peuce, in 
englishe a pyne tree, in duche Ein forthen, in french Ung pin. Pines 
growe fayrest in gardines, There groweth one fayre one in Rich- 
mund. Pine nuttes are hote and drye.” 
This passage may, as Mr. Britten, the editor of 
the modern reprint of Turner’s scarce work, considers, 
refer to the Scots Fir (Pinus sylvestris). In the 
sixteenth century the Scots Fir was probably rare 
enough in Southern Britain for one tree growing at 
Richmond to call for special mention, and its seeds, 
like every other known vegetable substance, native or 
foreign, would be tested by the careful apothecaries of 
that age. Turner knew Italy and its plants: well, but 
may not have recognised a distinction between the 
two species. It is doubtful, therefore, whether the 
Stone Pine was grown in England before the time of 
Evelyn, or even before 1750, about which date 
Peter Collinson planted it, together with all the 
Conifers he could collect, at his house at Mill Hill. 
In the South of Europe its soft, light, fine- 
grained wood is used for masts and _ general 
carpentry ; but it is not durable, and the tree is chiefly 
valued for its large edible seeds, which are used as 
food wherever the species grows. They do not ripen 
until the fourth year, and are then three-quarters 
of an inch long without their wings, and about 
half as broad, and, being entirely free from resin, 
have a sweet taste, resembling that of the Hazel-nut. 
In Pliny’s time they were preserved in honey, and 
