The pinetum : being a synopsis of all the coniferous plants at present known, with descriptions, history and synonyms, and a comprehensive systematic index / by George Gordon.

  • Gordon, George, 1806-1879.
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pinetum : being a synopsis of all the coniferous plants at present known, with descriptions, history and synonyms, and a comprehensive systematic index / by George Gordon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    true Pines : and still more so in Anstmlia and Polynesia, with respect to the Phyllocladus, the Dfimmara, and the Dacrydium ; hut all produce similar timlx?r and seovotions. These seci’etions, which are always in the foian of resinous juices, differ much in properties, and may be divided into two classes; those oli- tained from the living tree by incisions in the Ijark ; and those obtained from the wood and roots after felling, by the applica- tion of heat. Among the former are liquid balsam, the com- mon black and yellow resin of the shops, with oil and spirits of turpentine ; among the latter are tar, pitch, and lamp-black. The Strasburg and Venice turpentine come from the Silver Fir and Common Larch, and the best yellow resin (so much used in the manufactm’c of yellow soap) from the Norway Spruce, Olibanum and Sandarac are from the Junipem, and some of the finer resins and gums from the Dammara, Araucaria, and Callitn.s. The soil prefeiTed b}'^ Pines in a natural state (and therefore the most congenial to them), is that composed of the debris of granitic rock, with a diy subsoil. They will, however, grow anywhere, excepting on chalky formations, and land surcharged with moisture (although some of the American kinds flourish under this latter condition). The Firs (of which class the roots run immediately under the surface) do not require a deep soil, but they will not ])roduce large and fine timber without a sandy loam and cool subsoil. It would bo beyond the purpose on the present occasion to detail all the uses of this important tribe. I may, liowever, observe, that the yellow deal of Europe is the produce of Piuus sylvestris; the Norway white deal that of Abies excelsa; and the white American pine that of Pinus Strobus. All of the.se are, be.sides their other uses, of the greatest value to man in the construction both of his habitation on the earth, and of the arks which bear him and his treasures in safety through the fathomless deep. The natural Order CoNiFERiK or PlNACE.E is generally divided into thi’ee families:—viz,, Abietinefe, Cupressineje, and Juni-