FOREST-TREES OF THE UNITED STATES. 35 
is used extensively for coarse building purposes, and also for masts and 
spars for ship-building. The wood has a peculiar red color, and spikes, 
nails, and bolts hold firm, and never corrode in the timber. 
No. 385. Abies Fraserit, Pursh.—Fraser’s Balsam.—Alleghany Mount- 
ains. This species inhabits the highest parts of the Alieghanies, in 
North Carolina. It is said to be a small tree, ranging from 20 to 50 
feet in height. The cones resemble those of A. nobilis in miniature. 
No. 386. Abies nobilis, Lind.—The Noble Fir.—Oregon. This is one 
of the magnificent conifers of our country. It isa majestic tree, forming 
vast forests on the mountains of Northern California and Oregon. The 
Indians give it the name of Big Tree. The timber is said to be of ex- 
cellent quality. It is nearly related to A. /raseri, but has cones five 
times as large. 
No. 387. Abies bracteata, Hook.—Bracted-coned Spruce.—Oregon. 
This species grows on the higher mountains of Oregon. It was also 
found by Dr. Coulter in Southern California. It is little known. The 
cones are very curious and remarkable, being handsomely fringed by 
long leaf-like bracts, entirely different from those of any other species. 
No. 388. Larix Americana, Michx.—American Larch.—New Engiand 
to Wisconsin. This species is seldom found so far south as Virginia ; 
its favorite localities being the New England States, Northern New 
York, westward to Wisconsin, and north ward to Canada. In Canada, 
it is called Hackmatack ; in some portions of New England and New 
Jersey, Tamarack. The quality of the: wood is represented as being 
superior to any kind of pine or spruce: 
No. 389. Larix Lyallii, Parl.—Lyall’s latch, —Oregon. 
No. 390. Larix occidentalis, Nutt.—Western Larch.—Oregon. Mr. 
Dufur says this species is found abundantly in the Blue Mountains in 
Eastern Oregon, also well up in the Cascade and Coast Ranges, but sel- 
dom at an elevation of less than 3,000 feet. It is often found 250 feet 
high, and attains a diameter of 5 feet, frequently being found 200 feet to 
the first limb. The timber is very strong and durable, free to split, 
and used for all kinds of fencing and coarse building. 
No. 391. Torreya taxifolia, Arn.—Yew-leaved Torreya.—Florida. A 
small tree from 20 to 40 feet high, found on the east bank of the Apa- 
lachicola River in Florida. Itis called by the inhabitants Stinking Yew, 
from the unpleasant odor of the bruised leaves. The genus was named 
in honor of Dr. John Torrey, the late eminent botanist of New York. 
It is considered to be a very ornamental evergreen in cultivation. 
No. 392. Torreya Catifornica, Torr.—California Nutmeg-tree.—Cali- 
fornia. This species grows near the coast in California. It sometimes 
attains the height of 60 feet, with a trunk 4 feet in diameter, but is 
usually a round-headed, small, compact tree, 20 to 40 feet high. The 
timber is said to be heavy and fine-grained. It is, like the preceding, 
called the Stinking Yew, from the unpleasant odor of the bruised leaves. 
The seeds havea rugose and mottled appearance, resembling a nutmeg, 
whence the name. 
No. 393. Taxus brevifolia, Nutt—Short-leaved Yew.—California and 
Oregon. A tree of California and Orgon, varying much in height in 
different localities. Dr. Newberry saw it ‘formin g an upright tree 50 to 
75 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Mr. Dufur says it is found 
on the lowlands of Willamette Valley, is of slow growth, and seldom 
attains a height of 12 to 20 feet and a diameter of afoot. It is very 
scarce in all parts of Oregon. The small, red berries remain on the tree 
till late in the fall, and‘are used for food Dy the Indians. The wood is 
