hyer of liypoderm may be seen with perlplicral resin canal, transversely elongate (not circular) in section, and
surrounded by strengthening cells. Sheaths short (fig. 5), composed of numerous loose scales, which soon
fall off, and leave the base of the leaves naked, a character which readily distinguishes this species from any
which arc likely to he confounded with it. Male catkins, from 5 to 6 inches long, cylindrical or conical
when young, placed alternately at the base of the young shoots, but frequently afterwards very distant,
owing to the rapid elongation of the young shoot. Cones (fig. 6) ovate or slightly conical, broadest near the
base, about 2; inches long when at maturity, and iI inch in diameter, and terminating obtusely. Scales
(fig. 7, h, c\ with the apophysis, from ^ to J inch across, and 4 lines deep; concave with a slightly
elevated keel or ridge transversely placed across the scale near the upper margin, and furnished in the
centre with a short, stout, reflexed point, a litde sunken. The scales near the base of the cone are very
much smaller and more numerous. The seeds leave a very deep impression on both sides of the scale, and
even the traces of the outlines of the wings are left. The seeds (fig, 8) are placed somewhat irregularl)',
usually two to each scale, but not rarely only one. Tlie wing of the seed is veiy short (fig. 8 b\ not so long
as the seed itself, and somewhat parallel and obliquely rounded at the apex. The seed itself (fig. S a) is
roundish, with the back straight, and the other side obliquely rounded off, both at top and bottom.
Description.—character and habit of this tree is ver)- marked, and peculiar to itself In the
young state it is chiefly distinguished from Its allies by its light-grey bark, and the absence of sheaths to
the bundle of leaves. But when of mature age, and grown to its full size, its characteristics are much more
remarkable. Its bark peels off, as in Arbntiis Aiidrachnc, leaving the stem and branches nearly white,
producing, as may be supposed, a very peculiar effect. The tree, too, grows with a straight stem to the
height of about 8 or 10 feet, and about 2 feet in diameter, or a litde more. From this springs a multitude
of branches, not spreading out horizontally or divergently, as in other trees, but rushing straight up to a
great height. It is like a pollard, only that the branches grow all straight up. After reaching a certain
height they branch out, forming a top or head of the tree. This singular habit, the late Mr. Fortune
assured us, is natural, and not produced by artificial means—a point, however, which perhaps he had
scarcely materials for deciding. Where he saw them, these large trees were generally in cemeteries in
opposing pairs, and he refers the choice of this tree for that purpose to its peculiar habit; but it is quite as
possible that it may have been selected from its tendencj- to assume this form under particular treatment,
have an example of such a tendency in the variety of Picea AfolUnis, called by Dr. Ileldreich Abies
Regincc AmalicE, in which a crowd of young branches spring up from the stumps of trees which have been
cut down. The trees, also, which Mr. Fortune saw, were not less than two hundred years old, so that
any trace of pollarding may have long since been obliterated. However, we allow that Mr, Fortune was
not likely to be mistaken on such a point, and he spoke with confidence of this being the natural habit of
the tree, and not an artificial effect of manipulation.
H i s t o r y . — V x x i X described by Zuccarini, and aftenvards by Mr. Gordon. He gives " Kien-Kingmu"
as its Chinese name {lung being, without doubt, a misprint for sung, or Pine-tree), which he interprets
to mean Bark-shedding Pine, or Lace-bark Pine, Mr. Fortune, who introduced it, and had ample opportunities
of learning, and the knowledge requisite to acquire its native name, informed us that he never heard
it so designated, but always called " Pah-be-sung," fah signifying white, he bark, and sung being the
generic name for Pine-tree. There is no ground whatever for callini
peeling in fibres with bast-like interstices, so as to warrant such a na
European misapprehension or misinterpretation.
inhabited and cultivated country can well be. In summer the country, although treeless, is not without
vegetation. Its plains are covered with crops of a kind of millet—a tall Sorghum, from 6 to 9 feet high,
with a hard stem as thick as a man's thumb, which in autumn is cut about knee-high, and which diil
infinite damage to the legs of our cavalry horses in the Pekin war ; and the gardens and neighbourhood
of the houses of the inhabitants are gay with flowers and shmbs. But in winter all is changed : the crops
being cut down, the plains are one extensive stubble ; not a plant nor a tree to break the uniform desolate
sameness is to be seen so fai" as the eye can reach, all the shrubs and plants having disappeared. Where
they can have gone to at first appears inexplicable ; but on inquirj- it turns out that they have been taken
up and carried in pots into outhouses, into cellars, and holes under ground, and wherever shelter can be
obtained from the severity of the coming storm, which would otherwise kill them all. The har<!iest evergreen
cannot unprotected stand that piercing climate. Passing through these inhospitable regions to the
mountains to the west, Mr. Fortune first met with this Pine, in its native country and full grown. In the
south he had often seen small plants in pots, and knew the tree perfectly ; but when he saw the strange
aspect of the tree with its white leaves, as above described, he naturally rejoiced at the discovery of a new
species. It was only when he came up to it that he found it was an old acquaintance. Being almost
confined to cemeteries, and in such a treeless country, its lofty, white, many-pillared columns, so associated,
formed an impressive and striking object.
Properties and Uses.—Not yet known to possess any peculiar economic value not possessed by the
whole family of Pines,
Culture.—Looking at the bitter cold of the country- from which this species comes,
be expected that it would prove hardy in our own milder climate, and so it has proved,
ofthe winter of 1S60-61, as well as those of 1878-79, 1880-81, uninjured, and seems t(
in its growth.
Commercial Statistics.—Price of young plants in 1862, los, 6d. to 15s,; in 1872, 5
2S, to 7s. 6d,
[ 3 7 J
It was of course to
It Stood the cold
be tolerably rapid
t a lace-bark tree, the bark not
which he considers must be a
Geographical Distribution.—i:\-\c native habitat of this tree is far to the north of China, between
Pekin and the Western Hills, one of the coldest and most desolate-looking districts in winter which an
inhabited
B m S I