562 
North  American  Conifer ce. 
(  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
X     October,  1896. 
one  on  either  side,  nearer  the  margin  than  the  mid-rib,  and  buried  in 
the  mesophyll.  The  strengthening  cells  surrounding  the  reser- 
voirs had  their  walls  but  slightly  thickened.  In  other  respects,  the 
structure  resembled  that  of  the  leaf  of  A.  balsamea. 
CHEMICAL  COMPOSITION. 
The  tree  which  yielded  all  of  the  material  employed  was  a  speci- 
men from  Johnson  City,  Tenn.  It  was  taken  from  the  ground 
in  July,  1896.  The  following  table  embodies  the  percentage  results 
of  the  investigation  : 
Moisture. 
Ash  in 
Absolutely 
Dry  Material. 
Tannin  in 
Absolutely 
Dry  Material. 
9'63 
2-24 
12-28 
8-95 
2-52 
11-03 
6-85 
3'46 
6'93 
The  ashes  contained  potassium,  calcium  and  traces  of  iron,  com- 
bined with  carbonic  and  phosphoric  acids,  and  a  small  amount  of 
silica. 
This  tree  is  said  to  have  been  used  to  furnish  a  balsam  of  fir, 
similar  to  that  obtained  from  A.  balsamea,  but  the  data  concerning 
this  are  obscure.  The  tree  is  also  used  for  ornamental  purposes.  It 
is  noted  for  its  extreme  hardiness. 
ABIES  NORDMANNIANA,  SPACH. 
DISTRIBUTION  AND  GENERAL  CHARACTERS. 
This  highly  ornamental  tree,  now  much  cultivated  in  this  country, 
is  a  native  of  the  Crimea  and  the  Caucasus  Mountains.  It  attains 
a  height  of  80  feet  or  more,  and  a  diameter  of  about  2  feet.  The 
timber  is'  harder  and  more  durable  than  that  of  the  American 
species  described.  The  branches  are  whorled,  densely  arranged, 
the  lower  horizontal,  the  upper  ascending,  and  the  top  is  spire- 
shaped.  The  cones  are  large,  ovate,  about  5  inches  long  by  2^ 
inches  thick.  The  bractea  adhere  to  the  base  of  the  fruiting  scales, 
finally  exceed  them  in  length,  and,  become  reflexed  at  the  apex. 
They  are  widened  irom  the  base  upward,  that  is  they  are  wedge- 
shaped. 
