4 
PINETUM BRITANNICUM. 
range, and the seeds probably came from the Sierra Nevada in the interior), and that all that he got was 
a gallon of seeds and two cones. He does not mention leaves. It is very unlikely that the natives would 
have them; in fa6f, if branches had been carried by them, the leaves must have all fallen off. Mr Gordon 
must, therefore, have got his information on this point elsewhere, possibly from Hartweg’s description of 
Llaveana, with which, as already said, that gentleman confounded it. The cones and seeds procured by 
Hartweg entirely correspond with Dr Torrey’s description. Dr Torrey himself thinks that they do not, 
for he regards the species described by Gordon as the Pinus edulis of American authors, saying, “ Gordon’s 
figure represents the ordinary state of P. edulis .” It does not strike us in that light. Not only is the 
locality where Hartweg got it adverse to such a supposition, but a comparison of Tor¬ 
rey’s own figure of the cone and seed (our figures 7, 8, and 9 are copied from his 
original plate) with Gordon’s [fig. 11], shews, we think, that they are the same. 
The figure of the leaf given by Gordon [fig. 12] corresponds with the two¬ 
leaved form of this species, but it would doubtless be taken from the young 
plants raised from Hartweg’s seeds, which were all right. 
As there is a good deal of confusion about these Mexican and Californian 
Nut Pines, we reproduce, under their proper heads, every original figure which Fi s- I2 - 
has been given of any of them ; and if the reader will turn to P. Cembroides , he will see 
a copy of Dr Torrey’s own figure of the cone of that Nut Pine taken from Sitgreaves’s report, and be able 
to judge for himself whether Gordon’s figure, above copied, comes nearer Torrey’s monophylla or his edtilis 
(i.e., Cembroides). Dr Torrey may not improbably have been misled by Gordon’s statement that the leaves 
were in threes. 
Since Endlicher, all authors have adopted his nomenclature, and the species is generally known 
as P. Fremontiana; and our coloured plate having been finished before we had satisfied ourselves 
on the above points, has, unfortunately, repeated the common version. It ought to have been inscribed 
Pinus monophylla. 
Properties and Uses .—To the Indians of North-West America the seeds of this tree are of the 
greatest importance. They form their chief food for a great part of the year. Nature has been bountiful 
to them in giving them so many Pine trees with edible seeds. There are no fewer than seven species 
known, the seeds of which form an important item in their means of subsistence, viz. : Pinus Lamber- 
tiana , P. Ayacalmite, P. Loudoniana, P. Sabiniana , P. flexilis, P. Cembroides , and P. monophylla. In 
Colonel Fremont’s Report frequent mention of this Nut Pine occurs. From it and other sources we learn 
that the Indians gather the cones in autumn, extract the seeds from them, and keep them in their huts, 
or make large heaps (small stacks) of the cones in the open air under the slight protection of the trees 
themselves, and have recourse to them for fresh supplies when their indoor stock becomes exhausted. 
The cones are produced in great abundance, and if the tree should thrive in Europe and produce 
them equally profusely there, it would prove an excellent addition to our desserts, for which purpose 
it is much used at the missions in California. 
The mountains on which it grows are often covered with snow and subjected to great cold; 
hence, so far as mere lowness of temperature is concerned, there ought to be nothing in this country 
to prevent its being perfectly hardy: other conditions may prove unfavourable, but cold should not. 
It is, however, still rare in Britain, so that we have no great experience of its fitness. Mr Palmer’s 
tables only include reports on nine places, and of these the plants at seven of them escaped unin¬ 
jured during the winter of 1860-61, and at two they were killed; one of them, however, being exceptional, 
the plants having been otherwise sickly. 
There are no large plants of this species in Britain. It is a slow grower. 
Commercial Statistics .—Price of young plants in 1866, from 3s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. each; the same price 
being obtained in the two years following. 
