dusky green colour, shining on the upper surface, and often curved. In summer, after a long continuance
of dry weather, I have seen most of them decay and fall off.1 The cones are nearly cylindrical,
of a purple colour, and sometimes green before they are ripe, always pendent. The scales assume
an oval shape, and become somewhat ragged on the edges. The seeds are small, rather flattened, and
oval, with two thin elliptical membranous wings.
The wood of P. Abies is extremely serviceable for a great variety of purposes, being very firm,
straight, and regular in the grain, and capable of resisting moisture a long time: that which is grown
in England is said to be more durable than what is imported, and to be particularly useful in making
of ladders. From the resin, yielded by this tree, the Burgundy pitch is prepared. The insects commonly
inhabiting P. Abies, are Phahena strobilina, Chermes Abietis, and Cimex abietinus.
EXPLANATION OF TAB. 25.
Pain’s Hill afforded me the specimen for the engraving.
A. Male Catkin.
B. Anthera.
c. Female Catkin.
d. d. Scales of the same.
e. Scale of the ripe Cone.
f. Seeds.
g . G. Leaf.
• M a n y curious Pines w e r e lost at Sion-House, some ye ars ago, in consequence o f standing in v e r y d ry and h o t situation s: among
them w a s P. maritima. b