that is often sold in the shops under the name of Balm of Gilead, though the latter in its genuine state
is the produce exclusively of Amyris Gileadensis. The resin of P. Balsamea is no other than the
common Canada Balsam. The wood of this species is white, and seems to be better suited to shipbuilding,
and other purposes, than that of P. Picea. The leaves are somewhat smaller than those of
the last-mentioned Pine. The blossoms appear at the beginning of May, and the seed ripens about the
beginning of October. The cones are of a most beautiful glossy deep purple colour, inclining to black,
and there exudes from them great quantities of a transparent resin, as is represented in the plate, and
which has a very rich appearance. Some of the largest trees of this species, I am informed, are at
Wooburn, the seat of the Duke of Bedford, and at Warwick castle, the seat of the earl of Warwick,
where they are said to be considerably more than twenty years old, contrary to what was supposed
both by Miller and myself, who have observed that they do not last so long in many situations. It
does not thrive well in the neighbourhood of London, not growing to any large size, and soon decaying
after it is removed out of the nursery. My specimens were procured at Longleat, Wilts, the seat of
the Marquis of Bath, the only spot where I have seen this tree in perfection.
EXPLANATION OF TAB. 31.
a, A. Male Catkin.
B. Anthera.
c, Female Catkin.
d, d. Its Scales.
e, e. Bracteolse.
f, Section of a Cone.
g, g, g. Scales of the same.
h, Seed.
i, I, I. Leaves.