This near allay of Pindrow has been much confused with it. To an ordinary observer there does not appear much difference; yet the line of distinction is well defined. Dr. Griffith informs us: "This species is rare below 9,500 feet; constitutes vast woods at 12,000 feet below the belt of Rhododendrons in Bhotan, as on the Rodoola Pass. It has a tabular form, and very sombre appearance, and can be recognized even at great distances by its black columnar Palm-like appearance." Dr. Hoffmeister found it shooting up to one hundred and fifty feet, and twenty-four feet in girth, along the great spurs south-east of Reithal on the Bhagiruthee Ganges. Major E. Madden writes: "On the northern side of the Shatooe Pass it forms most dense and extensive forest below the birch, at Atting Wodar, and is even still more magnificent lower down, between the Ootulmai Ghatee and Panwee village." " Notwithstanding the whiteness of the under face of its leaves, the general effect of the Himalayan Silver Fir is exceedingly dark and gloomy - more intense, indeed, than that of the Cypress, which, from any distance, it a good deal resembles.

The form has pretty nearly the tall columar outline of the Pindrow, with boughs somewhat less bushy and pendulous; on the whole, the long-leaved, thorough-going black Pindrow must be pronounced the handsomer tree." Of the hardiness of this, like the preceding (Pindrow), there can be little doubt. Coming to us from such great elevations, judging from long experience of these trees grown contiguous to many Californian and western coast species, I should pronounce them much hardier than the latter. The winters of California are mild and humid - hence the delicacy of many species from there; but the species which come from high altitudes, as well as from the extreme north-west coast, must in the Middle States be perfectly at home.