S8 



A slightly altered form of the prototype — Pedinata; which has, douht^ 

 less, been caused by the climate and soil of Asia Minor. It is found 

 plentifully on the Taurian mountain chains, and has been again and 

 again introduced into this country as a new species. This Fir is 

 the Cliadsura " (green and white fir,) of the Mongolians ; and the 

 ^' Tcliugatskoy^^ (strong- scented fir,) of the Eussians. It is perfectly 

 hardy, and useful enough as a variety in a pinetum. 

 Pice A Firma : The Japan Silver Fir. 



This again is only an altered form of the prototype Pectinafa ; and 

 somewhat related to the Himalayan kind, Wehhiana ; and doubtless the 

 Orientals had their Silver Firs from the Hindoos, for Bifida^ Fortuni, 

 and Homolepis indicate the same origin ; and the same might be said of 

 Veitchij although I place it as a small-coned variety, it may prove to be 

 a quasi-species, of Pedinata : but all the differences in Firma, Bifida^ 

 Fortuniy and Homolepis are at best but hairs, and even then we would 

 have to split them, and use the microscope to determine the degree of 

 variation in size or form of leaf or cone. Be this as it may, time and 

 experience will hereafter prove that these said to be four species are at 

 best but four inferior constitutioned quasi-species, or, more probably, 

 varieties of the common Silver Fir. 



PiGEA GraNDIS : The Great or Grand Silver Fir. 



In this we have something to talk about and admire ; an appreciable 

 reality, a species if not a prototype of the Silver Firs. 



Leavesj variable in size and disposition, somewhat irregularly 

 arranged in two horizontal rows, on each side the branch stems ; the 

 upper tier ones from half to one inch long, the lower tier ones from 

 one to two inches long ; but all of them equally broad ; in form linear, 

 flat, some of them very slightly notched at point, others entire and 

 more or less sharp ; all channelled above and having the conspicuous 

 silvery bands below ; deep glossy green on their upper face, and bright 

 green and silvery on their under surface; all have their margins 

 thickened, and their footstalks short and more or less twisted. 



Cones, from three to five inches long; and from one to two inches 

 broad; cylindrical in form and erectly disposed; the scales broad, rounded, 

 and more or less downy externally ; curved at the edges, closely dis- 

 posed, equal in size, and when ripe deciduous ; the seeds comparatively 

 small, soft, angular, with persistent wings from haK to one inch long. 



Branches, in whorls, flat, spreading, and comparatively distant; 

 branchlets in two horizontal rows, and short and compact ; the bark 

 when young glossy golden green, and smooth and varnished-like ; 



