CONIFERS. 



45 



footstalks, or with very sliort ones ; erect and numerous, growing upon the 

 upper side of the hranches; at first yellowish green, changing to 

 greenish purple ; and when matured brownish purple in colour : the 

 scales are wedge-shaped at base, rounded externally, and entire at apex; 

 bracts comparatively small ; the seeds angular, soft, and winged. 



Branches, regularly disposed in whorls, not far distant ; and the 

 branchlets are equally as numerous and geometrical, even to the 

 base of the branches, and the branches the same to the base of the 

 tree, rendering a cylinder instead of a pyramid ; quite in keeping with 

 its other parts — the foliage and cones, in their formation of cylinders 

 by mathematical angles : a rather remarkable characteristic in a fir. 

 The bark, when young, is yellowish green, changing to greenish brown, and 

 when old brownish purple, and more or less furrowed, rough, and scaly. 



Tree,, when young, is a paragon of beauty, a model of symmetry, and 

 an object of never satiating pleasure ; when old and matured it is a stately 

 dame, 'neath whose branching head and dense ambrosial shade, we 

 might court the muses and improve the mind, by reading lessons from 

 the leaves, the branches, cones, and scaly trunk. 



It is thoroughly hardy, of moderate growth, and not dainty as to 

 soil or situation. It attains heights of from fifty to seventy feet, and 

 produces wood equally as good, and for texture and durability, I think 

 superior, to that of any of the species of the silver firs ; and if it has 

 not it ought to have, a place in every collection of trees, whether great 

 or small. Of its varieties the only one worthy of notice is variegata ; 

 difi'ering, however, in nothing but the colour of a portion of its leaves 

 and spray which are yellow, straw or creamy -white ; and which, mixed 

 with the common or bright green ones, are very showy if not pretty ; 

 rendering it useful as an ornamental plant where variety and contrast of 

 colour are desired ; but it must be remembered that variegation is not 

 an indication of health ; and this variety is more particular and fastid- 

 ious about soil and situation than its parent, to whose characteristics 

 it sometimes reverts, even when propagated by grafts, cuttings, or 

 layers ; and, doubtless, always, when, if ever, we raise it from seed. Its 

 quasis are ApoUinis, Cephalonica, and Regince Amalece ; all beautiful, 

 but in a less degree than the Princess Pinsapo, 

 PiGKA RkliGIOSA : The Sacred Silver Pir. 

 This is the Mexican form of Picea ; a kind somewhat distinct from 

 all its congeners. 



Leaves, solitary, linear, flat, from a quarter to two inches long; 

 irregularly disposed; on the leading or stem shoot thinly set and 



