0.97] 



CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 



187 



11. Abies n6bilis, Lindl. (NOBLE 

 SILVER FIR.) Leaves 1 to 2 in. long, 

 linear, much curved, the base extend- 

 ing a short distance upward along the 

 branch, then spreading squarely from it, 

 crowded, compressed, deep green above, 

 glaucous below ; base of the leaf much 

 less disk-like than in most of the Firs ; 

 branches horizontal, spreading, numer- 

 ous. Cones 6 to 7 in. long and nearly 

 2 in. in diameter, cylindric, sessile, with 

 large, entire, incurved scales ; bracts 

 large, exserted, reflexed, spatulate, with 

 terminal, awl-shaped points. A very 

 large, beautiful tree, from the Pacific A.n6t>iiis. 



coast, where it grows 200 ft. high. Hardy in Pennsylvania, but needs 

 some protection in Massachusetts. 



12. Abies pectinata, DC. (EUROPEAN 

 OR COMMON SILVER FIR.) Leaves y z to 1 

 in. long, linear, obtuse, occasionally with 

 an incurved point, polished green above, 

 two white lines below, rigid, straight; 

 branches horizontal and in whorls. Cones 

 6 to 8 in. long, cylindric, brown when ripe ; 

 scales broad, thin, rounded ; bracts long, 

 exserted, with an acute reflexed tip. In- 

 troduced from Europe. Good speciinens 

 can be found as far north as Massachu- 

 setts, though our climate is not fitted to 

 give them either long life or perfect form. 



A. pectinata. 



GENUS 97. LARIX. (THE LARCHES.) 



Leaves deciduous, all foliaceous, the primary ones scat- 

 tered, but most of them in bundles of numerous leaves 

 from lateral globular buds. Cones usually small (in one cul- 

 tivated species 3 in. long), ovpid, erect, with smooth scales. 



* Cones less than 1 in. long, of not more than 25 scales 1. 



* Cones 1 to 2 in. long, of from 40 to 60 scales 2, 3. 



* Cones 2 to 3 in. long, with thick, woody, somewhat divergent 



deciduous scales. (Pseudolarix) 4. 



