165 



(along the Pacific coast and north of theUnited States boniulary). It is 

 largel^^ associated with pine^ forming pure growths only in a few local- 

 ities, and then of small extent. It grows from the sea-level to 10,000 

 feet, attaining from 200 to 300 feet in height and 10 feet in diameter. 

 The wood is hard, strong, and durable, being especially valnable for 

 large timber and coarse lamber, where durability and strength are 

 needed. 



Description. — Leaves, comb-like in arrangement, \ to 1^ inches long, slender, Hat, 

 with stems, rather blnnt-pointed ; whitish on the under surface. Cones 2 to 4 inches 

 long, 1 inch in diameter; somewhat cylindrical or ovate, with a fringe of three- 

 pointed bracts from among the scales. Seeds reddish brown on one side, white on 

 the other. Bark grayish brown : when young, smooth ; in old trees rough, deeply 

 furrowed, and sometimes over 1 foot thick. 



20. — Western Larch. Tamarack. (Larix occidentalism jS'utt.) 



A western representative of the northeastern Tamarack, but a much 

 larger, and in. some respects a more valuable, tree. It is found in 

 western Montana (also ranging westward in Oregon and Washington 

 Territory and north of the United States boundary), usually occupying 

 moist slopes between 2,500 and 5,000 feet. It is almost always asso- 

 ciated with other species, and rarely, if ever, forming pure growths. In 

 Montana it attains its most valuable size, reaching a height of 100 to 

 150 feet, with a diameter of 4 feet or over. The wood is heavy, very 

 hard, strong, and durable, and is employed somewhat for lumber, but 

 chiefly for posts, ties, fuel, etc. 



Descriiiiion. — Leaves 14 to 20 in a bundle, ito f of an inch long, narrow, somewhat 

 four-angled, slender at the base, pointed at the tip ; pale green. Cones ovate-globose, 

 f to IJ inches long, by f of an inch in diameter; solitary, erect or bent down ; scales 

 few, i of an inch long, roundish, loosely overlapping, squarish or notched at the tip, 

 shining on the back; an elliptical, finely-toothed, acutely-pointed bract extending 

 from the base and beyond the point of each scale, chiefly the long points only being 

 visible beyond the ends of the scales. Larix Europaea and Lyallii also have an ex- 

 tended bract, but of different form. Branches, short ; lower ones horizontal, upper 

 ones ascending. Young shoots smooth, with many round black buds. 



21. — Larix Lyallii^ Parlatore. 



A strictly alpine species, of small size, growing in dry rocky situa- 

 tions of northwestern Montana (and westward) at elevations between 

 5,500 and 7,000 feet; generally much scattered and associated with 

 other conifers. The timber is little used, on account of its inferior size 

 and the usually inaccessible positions occupied by it. 



Description. — Leaves f of an inch long, 40 to 50 in a bundle, very narrow, on young 

 shoots single and longer. Cones 2 inches long, ovate-oblong (only immature sx^eci- 

 mens examined) and 1 inch in diameter; deciduous, greenish i^urple; margin of 

 scales woolly- fringed ; awl-pointed bracts from among and longer than the scales, 

 the broad bases of the bracts being visible. Much branched ; young shoots and buds 

 clothed with a whitish wool. 



