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ferae in a more developed state than usual. That the scales of the cone really 
are metamorphosed leaves, is apparent not only from this reasoning, but from 
the following facts. They occupy the same position with respect to the bracts 
as the leaves do to their membranous sheaths ; they surround the axis of 
growth as leaves do, and usually terminate it ; but in some cases, as often in 
the Larch, the axis continues to elongate beyond them, and leaves them col- 
lected round it in the middle. In Araucaria they have absolutely the same 
structure as the ordinary leaves ; and finally they sometimes assume the com- 
mon appearance of leaves, as is represented in Richard’s memoir, tab. 12., in 
the case of a monstrous Abies. The scales of the cones of Coniferee and stro- 
bilaceous Cycadacese are therefore to these orders, what carpellary leaves are 
to other plants. With regard to the male flowers, it is obvious that in the 
Larch, the Cedar of Lebanon, the Spruce, and the like, each anther is formed 
of a partially converted scale, analogous to the indurated carpellary scale of 
the females ; and therefore each amentum consists of a number of monandrous 
naked male flowers, collected about a common axis. Some botanists, howe- 
ver, consider each male catkin as a single monadelphous male flower, which is 
impossible. But in Araucaria, these cavities occupy one side only of an ordi- 
nary flat scale. In this genus, and such others as agree with it in structure, 
the anthers may be considered to consist of an uncertain number of lobes, and 
in this respect to recede from the usual structure of the male organs of 
plants : in Coniferse, the anthers of which are normal, we have 2 ; in Juni- 
perus, the like number ; in Cunninghamia, but 3 ; in Agathis,14 ; and in Arau- 
caria, from 12 to 20. Brown remarks, what is certainly very remarkable, 
that in Cunninghamia the lobes of the anther agree in number, as well as in- 
sertion and direction, with the ovules. King’s Appendix, 32. The same author 
has noticed a very general tendency in some species of Finns and Abies to 
produce several embryos in a seed, Ath Report of Brit. Assoc. 1835, p. 596 ; 
where also are some curious remarks upon the origin of the embryo in such 
plants. 
Geography. Natives of various parts of the world, from the perpetual 
snows and inclement climate of arctic America, to the hottest regions of the 
Indian Archipelago. The principal part of the order is found in temperate 
climates ; in Europe, Siberia, China, and the temperate parts of North Ame- 
rica, the species are exceedingly abundant, and have an aspect very different 
from that of the southern hemisphere. In the former we have various species 
of Pines, the Larch, the Cedar, the Spruce, and the Juniper ; the place of 
which is supplied in the latter by Araucarias, Podocarpuses, Dammars, and 
Dacrydiums. 
Properties. No order can be named of more universal importance to 
mankind than this, whether we view it with reference to its timber or its se- 
cretions. Gigantic in size, rapid in growth, noble in aspect, robust in consti- 
tution, these trees form a considerable proportion of every wood or plantation 
in cultivated countries, and of every forest where nature remains in a savage 
state. Their timber, in commerce, is known under the names of Deal, Fir, 
Pine, and Cedar, and is principally the wood of the Spruce, the Larch, the 
Scotch Fir, the Weymouth Pine, and the Virginian Cedar ; but others are of 
at least equal, if not greater value : the Norfolk Island Pine is an immense 
tree, known to botanists as Araucaria excelsa ; the Kawrie Tree of New Zea- 
land, or Dammara australis, attains the height of 200 feet, and yields a light 
compact wood, free from knots. Ed. Ph. Journ. 13. 378. But they are both 
surpassed by the stupendous Pines of north-west America, one of which, 
P . Lambertiana, is reported to attain the height of 230 feet, and the other, 
Abies Douglasii, to equal or even to exceed it. The latter is probably the 
most valuable of the whole for its timber. Their secretions consist of various 
