prominent pulvini, separated by pubescent furrows. The cones are similar in size and colour; but differ in the shape and position of the bracts. The arrangement and character of the foliage are entirely different.
Var. intermedia.
- Pinus (Abies) sp. nova (?), M‘Nab, in Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. ii. 692, f. 19 (1876).
A tree at Eastnor Castle, planted thirty-seven years ago, and about 60 feet in height with a girth of 3 feet 4 inches, is apparently identical with the form described by M‘Nab, who mentions two specimens, one collected in the western Himalayas by Hooker and Thomson, and another from a tree, which formerly grew at Castle Kennedy. Mr. Mullins, the gardener at Eastnor Castle, informs me that the tree is narrowly pyramidal in habit, with dark green foliage, and smooth bark on the stem and branches.
Specimens, which I have received, show the following characters :—Branchlets, buds, bark, and habit, as in A. Pindrow. Leaves more pectinate than in that species, and arranged on the branchlets as in A. Webdtana; about 2⅛ inch in maximum length, dark shining green above; gradually tapering in the upper third, as in A. Pindrow; thicker than in this species; lower surface convex ; resin-canals median, in which respect this variety differs from both A. Pindrow and A. Webbiana. Cones about 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches in diameter, resembling those of A. Webbiana in the position and shape of the bracts.
This variety is intermediate in many respects between A. Pindrow and A. Webbiana, and is possibly a hybrid. (A.H.)
Distribution
Abies Pindrow is more restricted in distribution than A. Webbiana and occurs at a lower elevation. It is met with in the outer Himalayas from Chitral to Nepal, at elevations of 7000 to 9000 feet, occasionally ascending to 10,000 feet; and commonly grows in ravines with a northerly or westerly aspect. It is often associated with Picea Morinda, Quercus dilatata, the deodar, and Pinus excelsa; but more often is accompanied by broad-leaved trees, such as the walnut, maples, bird cherry, and Indian horse-chestnut. Madden says that it forms dense forests on all the great spurs of Kumaon and occurs in Kashmir. According to Gamble, it has the same narrowly pyramidal habit with short branches which it assumes in cultivation in England. It grows very tall, but does not attain so great a height as the deodar. The largest trees correctly noted were measured in the Mundali forest in Jaunsar, and had heights varying from 188 to 206 feet with girths of 19 to 25 feet. The rate of growth averages 13 rings per inch of radius. It bears intense shade and its natural reproduction is excellent. The timber is employed indis- criminately with that of Picea Morinda, though not quite so good. It is used for planking, tea-boxes, packing-cases, and makes excellent shingles, and would be suitable for railway sleepers if creosoted.
