306 



SYLViVN SKETCHES. 



south of France. In Switzerland it is frequently cut 

 into shingles for the roofs of houses; in the south of 

 France, the young trees are cut for stakes to support 

 vines. 



The Weymouth Pine, Pinus strobus, called in North 

 America, its native country, the White Pine tree, is one 

 of the tallest species, often attaining the height of an 

 hundred feet in its native soil. The bark, especially 

 when young, is very smooth and dehcate ; the leaves are 

 long and slender, and close set ; the cones long, slender, 

 and very loose, so that if the seeds be not gathered in 

 winter, they open and let them out vrith the fu'st wai'mth 

 of spring. The wood is esteemed for masts of ships : and 

 in the reign of Queen Anne laws were passed for the pre- 

 servation of these trees, and to encourage their cultivation 

 in America. It is called the Weymouth Pine, and was 

 formerly called Lord Weymouth's Pine, from the first 

 trees of this species in England having been planted in 

 the grounds of Lord Weymouth. It w^as once called 

 the New England Pine. 



The Stone Pine, Pinus pine a ^ not being so resinous 

 as most of the other species, is but little cultivated for 

 timber : this Pme will grow to a considerable height 

 with a straight stem, and a rough bark ; it makes a 

 variety among others of the genus, from the difference of 

 the foHage, both in colour and in its arrangement on the 

 branches. The cones are very large, and make a hand- 

 some appearance ; and upon close observ-ation, the beau- 

 tiful arrangement of the scales will be found truly ad- 

 mirable. It is chiefly cultivated for its beauty, and for 

 the kernels of the cones, which, though shghtly flavoured 

 with tui-pentine, are as sweet as almonds. In Italy and 

 the south of France they are ft-equently served up in 



