108 



PIXACE^. 



inasmncli as in their distinguishing characteristics they partake more or 

 less of the character of Cembra, Strohus, and Pinea ; while in their 

 seeds they are what are popularly termed stone-pines, of which kinds 

 Cembra and Pinea are the representatives. This Pine is of no 

 economic yahie in this country, though in large arboretums or exten- 

 sive pinetums, where a good soil, a warm locality, and a sheltered 

 situation can be given to it, then might it add one more to the 

 number, and slightly increase the variety of a large collection of 

 Pinacese. 



PiNUS CoNTORTA: The Twisted-Branched Pine. 



The iSTorth American Pine generally found under this name is a 

 quasi-species of Inops ; while of the most of the prototypes, particu- 

 larly Corsica, Strobus, and Sylcestris, there are several contortas, or 

 twisted-branched forms. So when we find, or desire to find, a Pinus 

 Conforta, we must first determine which species of Pine it is we hav^e 

 found, or which we may desire to possess. 



PiNUS Corsica: The Corsican Pine. 



Leaves, generally from four to six inches long, but to be found 

 ranging from two to eight inches ; generally two in a sheath ; some- 

 w^hat twisted and slender, with comparatively short sheaths, and of a 

 riclj, dark, yet bright and shining, green coloar. 



Cones, generally from three to four inches long, and from one to 

 two inches broad ; but to be found ranging from two to six inches 

 long, and one-half to tliree inches broad ; conical in form, straight, and 

 sometimes curved at their points : scales elliptic in form, somewhat 

 elevated, not very angular, convex on the back, and of a yellowish- 

 brown colour. 



Branches, regular but distant ; in horizontal whorls ; laterals not 

 very numerous, but regularly disposed; buds ovate in form, with a long 

 point, hoary and resinous. 



Trees, pyramidal in shape, handsome, free, and open, in its mode 

 of growth; and very beautiful in its rich green foliage and general 

 deportment. 



This Fir, although a European species, and the prototype of many 

 quasi-species, was only introduced into this country about fifty years 

 ago, and, all things considered, it is one of the most valuable and gene- 

 rally useful species of the genus Pinus which has yet been planted in 

 the British Isles, being thoroughly hardy, sound in constitution, of 

 tolerably large dimensions, and of a very rapid and regular growth ; 

 and will not only grow, but will produce both quantity and quality of 



