Ixxii 



introduction; 



CONIFERS. 

 Fir tribe. 



This order derives it name from the peculiar 

 kind of seed-vessel, called a cone/' produced 

 by the Fir and other allied genera. The Fir- 

 tribe are distinguished by this character, by their 

 needle-like leaves, by the vessels of their wood 

 being perforated v^ith numerous dots, and the ap- 

 parently imperfect structure of the pistil in the 



