PINE OF ECOis'OMlC PLANTS. 323 



separate tliem nnder two distinct genera, Ahies and Pinus, the 

 first compreliending Fir Trees (wliicli see), the second the species 

 well known by the name of Pine Trees, In Hortus Kewensis 

 (1813) 17 species are described; since then new discoveries, 

 as recorded in books, have raised the mimber to between 80 

 and 90. They are all natives of the northern hemisphere, chiefly 

 in the middle region of the temperate zone, where they form 

 immense forests, both on plains and mountains, even extending 

 to the Arctic Circle, where some are recorded to attain a 

 height of 150 to 200 feet. 



The greater number are natives of the American continent, 

 13 are native of Europe, and about 12 belong to Asia, 

 including China and Japan. During the last fifty years nearly 

 the whole of the American species have been introduced into 

 this country, and, with the exception of the Mexican species, 

 are hardy, some becoming fine trees. About twenty years ago 

 a collection of Mexican forms was grown at Kew, making 

 handsome conservatory plants, 6 to 12 feet high. 



The wood of Pinus and their resinous products are of high 

 importance in all the arts, and in some countries their nutty 

 seeds form a considerable article of food to the natives. The 

 following is a brief notice of a few of the principal species and 

 their products : — 



Pinus sylvestris, well known as the Scotch Pine (wrongly 

 called Fir) ; this well-known tree has an extensive range through- 

 out Europe and IsTorthern Asia, forming extensive forests, such 

 as may be seen in the north of Scotland. It varies considerably 

 in height, in favourable situations growing to 100 feet. Its 

 timber is white and hard, and is used for many purposes ; it is 

 imported from ports in the Baltic under the name of Pdga and 

 Norway timber. This Pine is extensively planted as a shelter 

 to young oak plantations ; the rearing them for that purpose 

 forms an important part of the trade of many of the Scotch 

 nurseries. In Aberdeenshire and other parts of the north of 

 Scotland trunks of tins Pine are found in peat-mosses, some to 

 a considerable depth ; they are perfectly sound, their preserva- 



