CONIFF.ILE. 



107 



disposed branches, and slender and somewhat drooping branchlets ; 

 the branch stems and trunks with short spur-like shoots, with tufts of 

 leaves ; sometimes there are two, but generally three leaves in a sheath, 

 they are of a shining grassy-green colour, and from five to eight inches 

 long. Cones from three to six inches long, and from one-and-a-half to 

 three inches broad. It is too delicate in constitution, and fastidious to 

 a degree as to soil and situation, to be of much, if of any, value in this 

 country, either for use or ornament. 



PiNUS Cembra: The Siberian Stone Pine. 



Leaves, generally five in a sheath, from one to four inches long, 

 three sided, two of the faces being silvery-banded, and the other 

 shining green, sharp pointed, and rich silvery-green in colour. 



Cones, from two to four inches long, and one-and-a-half to three 

 inches broad ; ovate in form, erect, and of a rich violet colour. 



This Pine was introduced into this country about a century and a 

 quarter ago. It attains heights of from twenty-five to I f ty feet, and 

 forms an erect pyramid, well furnished with branches to its base, the 

 branches well clothed with the silvery-green foliage, and the buds few, 

 solitary, and at the tips of the branches; broad, globose in form, with 

 a long point, and of a whitish colour, and non-resinous. 



It is distinct and interesting in the highest degree, and a beautiful 

 little tree. A thoroughly hardy, sturdy, conical, small-sized Pine. Its 

 slow rate of growth, however, completely disqualifies it from ever taking 

 rank as a profitable timber tree ; nevertheless, in every collection of 

 ornamental trees or large shrubs it ought to have a place, as it will 

 succeed in any ordinary soil if in a healthy condition, and in any 

 situation, whether sheltered or exposed. 



This Pine has recently been found in many other countries, and in 

 many other latitudes, than Siberia, and not unfrequently much changed 

 in its distinguishing characteristics by soil, climate, and altitude, 

 which, as a matter of course, has caused it to be again and again re- 

 introduced as a new species. 



Of its many varieties and sub-varieties I select Alba, (the very white,) 

 Glauca, (the very glaucous,) Jajxmica, (the Japan form,) Monoj^lujlla, 

 (the single-leaved), Pumila, (the very dwarf,) FenduJa, (the slender 

 drooping-branched,) and Variegafa, (the variegated-leaved,) all of them 

 hardy and useful shrubs or small ornamental trees. 



PiNUS Cembroides : The Cembra-like Pine. 



This was introduced from Mexico in 1845, and one of the interme- 

 diate quasi-species — Cembra-Strohus, and Cembra- Pine a, 1 term them, 



