This I may safely call one of the finest Silver Firs in the world. Our own north-west coast, with California, produce some noble trees - as A. grandis, nobilis, amabilis, Douglasii, etc. - trees which may well associate with this, but who shall decide as the most beautiful ? Dr. Hoffmeis-ter records instances of Pindrow which he met on several of the lofty passes between Toongnath and Gungotree, which he estimated from thirty to forty feet in circumference, and about two hundred feet in height In a young state this tree has been confused with Webbiana, but botanists who have studied them in their native habitat, describe them as quite distinct Major E. Madden writes :* "Dr. Griffith describes Abies densa, abundant on all the northern mountains of Bhotan, in terms which lead us to conclude this, and especially Webbiana, to be the species intended. He calls it the Black Pine;' alludes to its 'columnar' form, and says it is 'the marked indicator of great elevations,' fixing its lower limit at 8,800 feet; the upper at 12,478, and even 13,000. He notes 'many pines dead as if blasted'- 'as usual, many blasted from lightning;' characters and limits well suited. to include both; the Pindrow generally commencing at about 8,000 feet, and Webbina, exclusively, attaining 12,000 or 13,000, It is possible, however, that the Pindrow may be absent from Bhotan; Dr. Thompson does not recognize them as really distinct species.

There can, however, be no doubt that in habitat, and in several marked peculiarities, there are constant differences; and between what we term a species and a variety thus characterized, the distinction seems sufficiently wide to entitle the latter to be so classed also. Pindrow forms dense forests on all the great spurs of the Kumaoon Alps, toward the heads of the Pindur, Turjoo, Ramgunga, and Kalee rivers, where (as in Gurhuual) the Khusiya name is Ragha; the Bhotiyas, of Byans, call it Woomun. In Central Kumaoon it is confined, as far as I have observed, to the great mass of Bhntkot and Boora Pinnath, from about 7,000 to 9,000 feet, where it clothes the sources of the Kosilla in a forest of unusual gloom and thickness." Coming from such great elevations there can be no doubt but this majestic tree will he perfectly hardy in the Middle if not our most Northern States. In foliage it is much larger than the common Silver Fir, and of a deeper green. The shoots and whole plant is robust, large and vigorous.

* Journal of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society Of India. VoL VII., part I.