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4 
PINETUM BRITANNICUM 
Geographical Distribution. —Like the Pinaster and the, Cephalonian Silver Firs, the Laricio type 
stretches in a band across the south of Europe; more modified by condition than the Pinaster, the local 
varieties of which are not sufficiently marked to warrant separation from the normal form; and modified to 
a less extent, perhaps, than the Cephalonian Silver Firs, which in Spain are represented by Picea Pinsapo, 
and in Greece by P. Apollinis. The Laricio assumes the varietal form of Pinus Pyrenaica in the Pyre¬ 
nees, of the typical Laricio in Corsica, Calabria, Sicily, Greece (?), and Asia Minor (?), of nigricans or 
austriaca in Austria, and of Pallasiana in the Crimea. 
The limits of the Laricio proper appear to be Corsica, the Apennines in Italy, and Calabria generally, 
and Mount Etna in Sicily, at an elevation of 4000 to 6000 feet. Grisebach gives it as found on Mount 
Athos, and it is said by Webb to occur on Mount Serrat, in Spain. Pierre de Tchihatcheff met with it 
on the Mount Topgedik, in the north of Cilicia Trachea, at 2000 metres; on the northern slope of 
Boulgar-dagh, at 3000 metres ; in the valley of the Aledag in Galatia, at 1700 metres ; on the Buchalan- 
dagh (in the Pont), between Ladik and Amazia, at 1200 metres ; and near the village of Baoulo in Pisidia, 
at 1104 metres. According to M. Grisebach, the upper limit of the Pinus Laricio is on Mount Athos, at 
* 
1461 metres, and on the Olympus, at 1495 metres.— {Tchihatcheff, “Asie Mineure,” ii., 306.) 
As to all these habitats in Greece and Asia Minor, we still require to know whether the authors speak 
of Laricio in its larger sense as including Pyrenaica, austriaca, and Pallasiana, or in its more restricted 
sense as only meaning the Corsican form. 
Schouw’s Magellensis, according to the observations of that botanist, begins to appear on Mount 
Amaro, at the upper limit of the Beech, 5600 feet, and is found nearly as high up as the top of the moun¬ 
tain, 8300 feet: it there essentially contributes to form a region of shrubs. The Dwarf Pine from Mount 
Pollino extends over a less area between the Sierra di Dolcedorme and Mount Pollino, properly so called, 
at the height of about 6200 feet. 
History. —This species was not distinguished in Europe until about the middle of last century. It was 
observed, but it was supposed by some to be a variety of the Pinus Pinaster, and by others to be a variety 
of the Scotch Fir, Pinus sylvestris ; but as it was seen to attain a height never reached by the Scotch Fir, 
it was distinguished by the name of Pinus sylvestris altissima. That name altissima, although supplanted 
by Laricio more than eighty years ago, is still to be found in some old collections and nurseries, either 
given as a distinct species of that name, or as Pinus Laricio altissima, as if it were a tall-growing variety of 
Pinus Laricio; whereas, in fact, the tall-growing epithet was originally only applied, and only applicable to 
its growth, when contrasted with that of Pinus sylvestris. 
It was introduced into Tfingland m 17^9 undei the name Pinus syIvestms maritima, and that name wus 
adopted by Aiton in the first edition of his “ Hortus Kewensis”—shortened or promoted into Pinus 
maritima in his second edition. It was not, however, until after Don had drawn attention to it in the 
Appendix to Dr. Neill’s “ Horticultural Tour through France and the Netherlands,” that it began to be 
introduced in some quantity into England. In France it appears first to have attracted the notice of 
Government, under Turgot’s Ministry, in the time of Louis XVI., and the fine tree in the Jardin des 
Plantes, which was figured in the “ Nouveau Duhamel,” was planted in 1774. It appears to have been then 
used in shipbuilding, for beams, flooring, and side planks of ships, but not for masts until 1788. In that 
year the French Administration of the Marine sent two engineers to examine the forests of Lonca and 
Rospa in Corsica, and they found plenty of trees fit for masts, only they required to be made thicker than 
usual, to make up for the inferior strength and elasticity of the timber. The French Government appear 
to have always highly appreciated this tree. In 1814 they appointed M. Thouin to draw up directions for 
its growth and management, so as to stimulate its introduction and cultivation. He published an account 
of the tree and its value for economic purposes. Notwithstanding this, and the well-known fact that 
abundance of seed might have been procured from Corsica, had there been any demand for it, no sufficient 
supply appears to have been obtained even for the Royal forests ; for M. Larminat was obliged to have 
recourse 
