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well with this species, as described by Michaux ; and not at all with Mr. Lam-bert’s P. variabilis, which he describes as having leaves only 2 in. long, andcones with scales having “ thorny points of a strong woody texture projectingfrom them.”

Properties and Uses. In the northern and middle states, and in Virginia,Michaux tells us that, in his time, to the distance of 159 miles from the sea, ninetenths of the houses were built entirely of wood ; and the floors, the casings ofthe doors and wainscots, the sashes of the windows, &c., were all made of thewood of the yellow pine, as being more solid and lasting than that of anyother kind of indigenous tree. “ In the upper part of the Carolinas, wherethe cypress (Taxodium distichum) and the white cedar (Cupressus fliyoides)do not grow, the houses are constructed wholly of the yellow pine, and areeven covered with it.” ( Mictu .) It is necessary, however, whenever thewood of this tree is used for building purposes, that it should be completelyfreed from its sap wood, which speedily decays. This precaution, Michauxtells us, “ is sometimes neglected, in order to procure wider boards, especiallynear the sea-ports, where, from the constant consumption, the tree is becom-ing rare. Immense quantities are used in the dockyards of New York,Philadelphia, Baltimore, &c., for the decks, masts, yards, beams, and cabinsof vessels ; and it is considered to be next in durability to the long-leavedpine (P. australis). The wood from New Jersey and Maryland is finer grained,more compact, and stronger than that from the river Delaware, which growsupon richer lands.” (Michx.) The yellow pine, in boards from 1 in. to2 J- in. thick, forms a considerable article of commerce between the UnitedStates, and Great Britain and the West Indies. At Liverpool, it is called theNew York pine, while at Jamaica it is called the yellow pine; and, in bothplaces, it sells at a much higher price than the wood of the white pine ( P.Strobus), though it is considered inferior to that of P. australis. In theMinutes of Evidence taken before a select committee appointed to consider ofthe means of maintaining and improving the foreign trade of the country., andprinted by order of the House of Commons, in March, 1821, John White,Esq., of Westbourne Green, an extensive timber merchant, was examined.In answer to the question, “ Can you speak at all to the durability of differentkinds of wood?” he says, “ In general, Norway timber is the most durableof the fir timbers of Europe ; because, after many years, it does not part withits resinous particles; but I consider,” he adds, “ that the American soft,or yellow, pine (P. mitis Michx.) is the most durable of the American firs.I have known it last, when exposed to the action of the sun and weather, fora long period, by the side of Norway timber, with equal effect, fully exposedto wind and rain ; but, if painted, it does not stand at all so well.” ( Report ,&c., 1821, p. 23.) “ Though this species,” Michaux observes, “yields tur-

pentine and tar, their extraction demands too much labour, as this pine isalways mingled in the forests with other trees.” This is another point in whichMichaux’s account differs from that of Mr. Lambert; as the latter informsus that “ the wood has a sponginess and lightness which deprive it of durabi-lity, and render it useless in building, or, indeed, for any purposes of asimilar kind ; but it is tolerably full of resin, so that the Americans employ itfor its tar and pitch.” (Lamb. Pin., ed. 2., i. t. 14.) The tree of P. mitis atDropmore (there named P. variabilis, and easily known from others having thesame name, by the characteristics already mentioned) was, in 1837, after being41 years planted, 29 ft. high.

Commercial Statistics. Cones, in London, are !.?. per quart, and plants 5s.each; at Bollwyller, plants are 2 francs each; and at New York, 50 cents.

t 6. P. pu'ngens Michx. The prickl y-coned, or Table Mountain, Pine.

Identification. Michx. Arb., 1. p. 61. ; Pursh FI. Amer. Sept., 2. p. 643.; Lamb. Pin., ed. 2., 1. 1.17.}N. Du Ham., 5. p. 23(5.; Lawson’s Manual, p. 353., Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836.

Engravings. Lamb. Pin., ed. 2., 1. 1.17.; N. Du Ham., t. 67. f. 4. ; Michx. N. Amer. Syl., iii. 1.140.;our fig. 2079., to our usual scale j and figs. 2077. and 2078., of the natural size; all from Dropmorespecimens.

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