two lateral sets, separated by an acute V-shaped depression. Lower ranks with the longest leaves (about ⅞ inch), those in the other ranks gradually diminishing in size as they approach nearer the middle line above. Leaves linear, flattened, uniform in width except at the gradually tapering base, about 1⁄15 inch, rounded and slightly bifid at the apex; upper surface dark green, shining, with a continuous median groove and without stomata; lower surface with two broad conspicuously white bands of stomata, each of ten to twelve lines; resin-canals median.
Leaves on cone-bearing branches shorter than on barren branches, those on the upper side of the shoot crowded and directed upwards, so that the V-shaped depression between the lateral sets is scarcely visible.
Cones on short stalks, cylindrical, slightly narrowed at the base and apex, 4 inches long, 1½ inch in diameter, purple when growing, brown when mature. Scales very thin and flat; lamina fan-shaped, 1⅛ inch long by ¾ inch wide, upper margin entire, lateral margins with denticulate short wings ; claw short and obcuneate. Bract short, not extending half-way up the scale; with a sub-orbicular finely denticulate lamina, tipped by a minute mucro, and a short obcuneate claw. Seed with wing about ¾ inch long, the wing about 1½ times as long as the body of the seed. In cultivated specimens, the scales of the cone and the seeds are smaller than in wild specimens. The very thin flat scales with the short minutely denticulate bract distinguish well this species.
Identification
This species has short leaves very white underneath, with an acute V-shaped depression between the lateral sets on the upper side of the branchlet, and is best distinguished by the very prominent pulvini and grooves on the branchlets. The bark of the branches and young stems begins to scale very early, an unusual character in the silver firs, and conspicuous in this species, in A. homolepis, and in A. Webbiana. The resinous buds, glabrous shoots, and leaves with median resin-canals are additional points in the discrimination of A. brachyphylla. (A.H.)
Distribution
According to Mayr this tree occurs on the main island of Japan, between lat. 36° and 38°, in the interior of the mountainous provinces; where it attains its maximum development in the zone of the beech forests, some trees attaining as much as 130 feet in height. The Japanese informed Mayr that it was also present on the highest peaks of Shikoku; but Shirasawa limits its distribution to the central chain of Honshu above 3000 feet elevation, and says that it grows in mixture with broad-leaved trees.
To most Europeans it is the best known of the Japanese silver firs, as it grows abundantly at Chuzenji, a favourite tourist resort. Here at 4000 to 5000 feet it is
