SKETCHES IN SPAIN. 
397 
gener, the sylvestris. The cone is rougher, and of a different and 
more rugged texture than that, of the sylvestris, or any other I am 
acquainted with. An additional proof of the hardiness of the tree is 
afforded by the early ripening of the cones. I gathered some in the 
valley of Andorre in July, which were fully formed, at a season when 
those of southern climates are yet far behind in vegetation. The reason 
of this admirable arrangement is evident. In these elevated regions 
the season of vegetation is so short, that the operations of fructifi¬ 
cation must be proportionally accelerated to ensure their completion: 
The seed from these cones vegetated ; and it is of great importance to 
be aware of the fact, because the collecting the seed of this species is 
difficult in many seasons, from the early falling of the snow. The 
rule I followed, was to select the cones when they had assumed a 
brown green, and cut dry to the knife. On opening them in this 
state, the seeds will be found quite formed in the state of a green 
almond when it is eaten. It is of the last importance that they should 
not be taken out of the cones, until the planting season, and that they 
should be kept dry. 
“The port and bearing as well as colour of the P. uncinata, are 
quite different from that of any other species. The form, where the 
tree is fully developed, is round and massy, frequently resembling 
that of some of the deciduous trees—the long arm sweeping the 
ground. The foliage is longer, and much more tangled than that of 
the Scotch fir; and the green much more intense. It is so dark, that 
the Spanish woodmen distinguish it by the name of pino negro ; the 
two varieties of Sylvestris being called bianco and roxo. The growth, as 
far as I could judge, appeared to be about the same, or of raiher 
greater rapidity than that of the Scotch fir. The wood is highly 
resinous, so much so, that it serves for torches, and it is reputed in 
the Pyrennees, to be of very great duration. A peculiar quality, 
which, if it succeed, will make it invaluable in some parts of this coun¬ 
try, is that of resisting wind, &c. Whatever be the cause, the wind 
in the upper regions of the Pyrennees, rages with a violence and 
constancy unknown elsewhere, even in the Alps, where the same 
phenomena might be supposed to exist. According to the figurative 
expressions of the Spanish peasantry, it blows every day in the year. 
In these inclement regions where I have observed the tree in every 
form and situation, I never saw an instance where the wind appeared 
to affect it, nor where it showed a weather side. At the upper limits 
of its habitat, where it is compelled to yield to the law of nature, and 
lower its “ diminished head,” the same rule is observed; and instead 
of the stunted and starvelling appearance of the rest of the tribe on 
