Capt. 8. E. Cook on the Genus Pinus and Abies. 163 XIX. — On the Genera Pinus and Abies, with Remarks on the Cultivation of some Species, By Capt. S. E. Cook, R.N.* The extraordinary interest which has been excited by the introduction of the various species of Pinus within the last few years, may make a few observations respecting them, more especially on their ceconomic value, acceptable. By the zeal and activity of our own and foreign collectors, seconded by the assistance of various bodies and of wealthy individuals, we are provided with a list of about seventy spe-cies of Abies and Pinus, exclusive of the junipers, cedars and other kindred Coniferce which now ornament our collec-tions. The greater part of these may be considered as well-defined species or varieties ; whilst, as is inevitable from the comparative novelty of the subject, and the want of public gar-dens and repositories for the purpose of standard reference, which to the discredit of the authorities and the prejudice of the public good we are yet without, a portion derive their appel-lations from the gratuitous assistance of those who are inter-ested in multiplying names, and frequently confer them where no real distinction exists. It would be impossible within moderate limits to give even a short notice of this long list individually. At present it is intended merely to form them into groups, reserving more de-tailed observations for the Europoean species, which are by far the most interesting in a national and oeconomical point of view. We propose to divide the seventy species above-mentioned into the following groups : 1st. Old America, if we may use the expression, which includes the United States west of the Mississippi, and Canada with Labrador, and extends to the li-mits of vegetation to the north. 2nd. Those species which are produced in the magnificent range which separates the waters of the Atlantic from those of the Pacific, commonly known by the barbaric appellation of the Rocky Mountains, for which the " Northern Andes " or some native term, if such could be obtained, ought to be substituted. This, which at present forms about fifteen species, we shall designate by the name of * Read in the Section of Zoology and Botany at the Meeting of the Bri-tish Association, Newcastle, and communicated by the Author. M 2
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