SYNOPSIS OF PINES. 



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PlNTTS. — Grroup 2. Abies, Endl. ; Picea, Loud. ; — Silver Firs. 

 (Cones axillary and upright. Leaves soKtary, flat, silvery beneath.) 



6. P. bracteata, 120 ft. *19. P. flrma, tree. 



1. P. nobilis, large tree. *20. P. homolepis, 20-30 ft. 



8. P. Praseri, 10-20 ft. *21. P. bifida. 



9. P. nana. *22. P. concolor. 



10. P. religiosa, s h. 23. P. balsamea, 40-50 ft. 



11. P. Nordmanmana, 80 ft. 24. P. amabiJis, 150-200 ft. 



12. P. Abies du JRoi, 50-100 ft. 25. P. grandis, 170-200 ft. 



Ficea, Linn. Silver fir. 26. P. lasiocarpa. 



13. P. pendula. 27. P. Pindi-ow, 80-100 ft. 



14. P. tortuosa. 28. P. Webbiana h ? 80-100 ft. 



15. P. pyramidalis. 29. P. Picbta, 60-70 ft. 



16. P. foliis variegatis. 30, P. Pinsapo, 60-70 ft. 



*17. P. leioclada. *31. P. Mertensiaua. 



18. P. Cepbalonica, 60 ft. 



This is perhaps the most remarkable section in the family of Pines, in 

 respect to both the size and beauty of the trees. Their forms are gene- 

 rally pyramidal, or of the spiry cone. P. AUes, or Silver Pir, is a trun- 

 cated pyramid, and we beheve that many of the others will approach 

 that form when they have grown long enough among us to attain to 

 their matmity. P. Find/row and Weiiiana, fi'om the Himalayas, 

 assume a columnar shape. P. CepTialonica, if not a broad-headed tree, 

 has such long horizontal branches as to produce a very broad cone : the 

 same remark apphes to P. Pinsapo. The form and disposition of the 

 branches impart the characteristic features of this group. In 7 and 29 

 they are flat and tabulated ; in 18 and 30 they are rigid, horizontal, and 

 verticillate, givmg a very symmetrical habit to the trees ; in 27 and 29 

 they are close, spreadmg in whorls, with drooping branchlets. The 

 fohage in 7, 18, and 30 is closely set ; in 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, and 27 

 it is of a dark green ; in 29 of a vivid green ; in 18 and 30 of a hghter 

 vivid green; in 11 of a Hght pale green ; and in 25 of a silvery green. 

 The branchlets of some sorts, such as nobiUs, Cephalonica, and- Webbi- 

 ana, are hable to be injured by spring frosts when the trees are yoimg ; 

 but if planted in shady places or in late situations they seldom receive 

 injmy. The timber of the silver fii-s is generally of inferior quaUty. P. 

 Cephalonica produces hard and durable timber. Though many of this 

 group will tln-ive tolerably on poor ground, they attain much greater 

 perfection in soils of good quahty. P. Webbiana thrives in poor clay soils. 



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