2 
PINUS BUNGEANA 
layer of hypoderm may be seen with peripheral resin canal, transversely elongate (not circular) in section, and 
surrounded by strengthening cells. Sheaths short (fig. 5)> composed of numerous loose scales, which soon 
fall off, and leave the base of the leaves naked, a character which readily distinguishes this species from any 
which are likely to be confounded with it. Male catkins, from 5 to 6 inches long, cylindrical or conical 
when young, placed alternately at the base of the young shoots, but frequently afterwards very distant, 
owing to the rapid elongation of the young shoot. Cones (fig. 6) ovate or slightly conical, broadest near the 
base, about 2^ inches long when at maturity, and \\ inch in diameter, and terminating obtusely. Scales 
(fig. 7, a , b, c), with the apophysis, from ~ to f inch across, and 4 lines deep; concave with a slightly 
elevated keel or ridge transversely placed across the scale near the upper margin, and furnished in the 
centre with a short, stout, reflexed point, a little sunken. The scales near the base of the cone are very 
much smaller and more numerous. The seeds leave a very deep impression on both sides of the scale, and 
even the traces of the outlines of the wings are left. The seeds (fig. 8) are placed somewhat irregularly, 
usually two to each scale, but not rarely only one. The wing of the seed is very short (fig. 8 b), not so long 
as the seed itself, and somewhat parallel and obliquely rounded at the apex. The seed itself (fig. 8 a) is 
roundish, with the back straight, and the other side obliquely rounded off, both at top and bottom. 
Description. —The character and habit of this tree is very marked, and peculiar to itself. In the 
young state it is chiefly distinguished from its allies by its light-grey bark, and the absence of sheaths to 
the bundle of leaves. But when of mature age, and grown to its full size, its characteristics are much more 
remarkable. Its bark peels off, as in Arbutus Andrachne, leaving the stem and branches nearly white, 
producing, as may be supposed, a very peculiar effect. The tree, too, grows with a straight stem to the 
height of about 8 or 10 feet, and about 2 feet in diameter, or a little more. From this springs a multitude 
of branches, not spreading out horizontally or divergently, as in other trees,, but rushing straight up to a 
great height. It is like a pollard, only that the branches grow all straight up. After reaching a certain 
height they branch out, forming a top or head of the tree. This singular habit, the late Mr. Fortune 
assured us, is natural, and not produced by artificial means—a point, however, which perhaps he had 
scarcely materials for deciding. Where he saw them, these large trees were generally in cemeteries in 
opposing pairs, and he refers the choice of this tree for that purpose to its peculiar habit; but it is quite as 
possible that it may have been selected from its tendency to assume this form under particular treatment. 
We have an example of such a tendency in the variety of Picea Apollinis , called by Dr. Heldreich Abies 
Regince Amalice, in which a crowd of young branches spring up from the stumps of trees which have been 
cut down. The trees, also, which Mr. Fortune saw, were not less than two hundred years old, so that 
any trace of pollarding may have long since been obliterated. However, we allow that Mr. Fortune was 
not likely to be mistaken on such a point, and he spoke with confidence of this being the natural habit of 
the tree, and not an artificial effect of manipulation. 
History. —First described by Zuccarini, and afterwards by Mr. Gordon. He gives “ Kien-lung- 
mu ” as its Chinese name ( lung being, without doubt, a misprint for sung , or Pine-tree), which he interprets 
to mean Bark-shedding Pine, or Face-bark Pine. Mr. Fortune, who introduced it, and had ample oppor¬ 
tunities of learning, and the knowledge requisite to acquire its native name, informed us that he never heard 
it so designated, but always called “ Pah-be-sung,” pah signifying white, be bark, and swig being the 
generic name for Pine-tree. There is no ground whatever for calling it a lace-bark tree, the bark not 
peeling in fibres with bast-like interstices, so as to warrant such a name, which he considers must be a 
European misapprehension or misinterpretation. 
Geographical Distribution. —The native habitat of this tree is far to the north of China, between 
Pekin and the Western Hills, one of the coldest and most desolate-looking districts in winter which an 
inhabited 
