BOTANY. 
51 
the cone now figured, were much smaller, covering only a very small portion of the surface of 
the cone; and the characteristic appearance of the cone of P. nobilis was entirely lost. The 
leaves, scales, seeds, and wings were similar to those figured. 
It is, perhaps, possible that the differences in the leaves and cones of my specimens and those 
before described are sufficent to constitute a new species ; but as the general resemblance is 
striking, and I have no authenticated specimens of P. nobilis with which to compare them, it is 
perhaps better to wait till more material has been collected, which shall settle the question 
beyond the possibility of doubt. Several surveying parties will traverse the country occupied 
by P. nobilis within a few months, and they will doubtless supply our deficiencies in this 
respect. An abundance of excellent seeds were obtained from the cones I have mentioned ; and 
should they germinate, the plants raised from them will soon give us an opportunity of study¬ 
ing the tree at leisure. 
The general aspect of P. nobilis is somewhat like that of P. amabilis, though the foliage is 
of a lighter green, the leaves and branches more rigid and less graceful. The leaves are so 
stiff and sharp that they prick the skin like needles. The value of the wood for timber I had 
no opportunity of determining, but it is probably inferior to that of the Douglas spruce or 
balsam fig. 
Picea amabilis. The western silver fir. 
Pinits amabilis, Dougl. in Loud. Arboret 4, p. 2342, figs. 2247 and 2248. 
Abies amabilis, Pinetum Woburnense, t. 44. 
Fig. 18. Cone and branch of P. amabilis, one-half natural size ; 
Fig. 18a, b, c, d, leaf, scale, and seed of same, natural size. 
This beautiful and distinct species has been generally confounded with P. grandis, as men¬ 
tioned in the description of that species. This mistake would never have occurred if Douglas 
