CONIFERS. 



4S 



PiCEA PiNDRO W : The Indian Silver Fir. 



This is the Indian form of the Silver fir, and no douht its native and 

 universal name is derived from the Sanscrit words Find, "incense-cake," 

 and Rud, "to weep;" inasmuch as it was much used in sacrifices, 

 and burnt ofi'erings to their deities j the numerous globules of 

 resinous matter which are found exuding, like " the shedding of tears," 

 from the cones and axillary parts, of the stems being made into cakes 

 for ofi'erings. Major Madden, however, calls it a " local and 

 barbarous term," and gives to this tree the name Herhertiana ; in 

 compliment to the late Captain Herbert, who rendered the natural 

 history of India such good service : but when I see so much truth and 

 beauty in this the Major's " barbarous term," of a barbarous people, 

 who, in their own barbarous way, generally applied more correct and 

 significant names to their trees, than we fine folk who are under the 

 banner of civilization ; I have no compunction as a Christian in select- 

 ing the " barbarous," and rejecting the civilized, term as the specific 

 name of the Indian form of the Silver Fir. 



Leaves, varying in size from one'to three inches in length, and about 

 one line broad ; dark green when young, increasing in degree as they 

 mature, when they assume a black-green colour, and on their under face 

 the silvery bands ; which, however, are less conspicuous than in the 

 European or iN^orth American kinds. The leaves are at first disposed 

 regularly all round the young shoots ; but as they increase in age and 

 become adult branches, the leaves then form themselves into two 

 horizontal rows on the branch stems ; all of them more or less bidented 

 or bifid, that is two-toothed or double-pointed. 



Cones, generally from four to six inches long, and two to four 

 inches broad ; solitary and erect on the upper side of the branch stems ; 

 at first yellowish green, changing to greenish purple as they increase in 

 age, and when matured a rich dark purple colour ; scales wedge-shaped, 

 stiff, and leathery ; deciduous when matured ; seeds angular or oblong 

 in form, soft and resinous, the wing appendage thin, long, and broad. 



Branches, these are disposed in horizontal whorls, and are spread- 

 ing ; the branchlets are generally in two rows upon the branches, and 

 in opposite pairs, and the buds oval in form, greenish purple in colour, 

 and resinous and scaly. 



This fir, when young and growing, forms a tapering, or tall conical 

 pyramid ; but when matured and aged it is a dark and dismal looking, 

 flat- headed tree. 



It attains heights of from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet ; and it 



