_Abies_ (Fir). The leaves are often (_e.g. Ab. pectinata_) displaced into 2 rows, flat and indented at the apex, with 2 white (wax-covered) lines on the under surface, in which the stomata are situated. The leaf-scars are nearly circular and do not project. The cones are erect. _The cover-scales and the ovuliferous scales separate from the axis_, to which they remain attached in other genera.--~_Tsuga_ has leaves like _Abies_, but by the slightly projecting leaf-scars, and cones with persistent scales, it forms the transition to _Picea_.--_Pseudotsuga_ has leaves similar to those of _Abies_ and persistent carpels as in _Picea_, but the cover-scales grow as in _Abies_ and project beyond the ovuliferous scales (_P. douglasii_, Fig. 267). These two genera are considered as sub-genera of _Abies_.~--_Picea_. The leaves project on all sides, square and pointed; the leaf-scars are rhombic, on projecting leaf-cushions. The cones are pendulous. The cover-scales are much shorter than the leathery, persisting ovuliferous scales.--The genus _Larix_ (Larch) differs from all the others in having deciduous leaves (the three preceding have leaves which persist for eleven to twelve years). It has _long-branches_ with linear foliage-leaves and short, thick, _perennial dwarf-branches_, which each year form a new rosette of foliage-leaves, similar to those on the long-branches. The male flowers and the erect cones resemble those of _Picea_, and are borne on dwarf-branches.--_Cedrus_ (Cedar) resembles _Larix_ to some extent, but has persistent leaves (_C. libani_, _C. deodara_).--_Pinus_ (Pine) has long-branches and dwarf-branches. The leaves of the long-branches are scale-like and not green; the dwarf-branches have very limited growth, and persist for three years; they arise in the axils of the scales borne on the long-branches of the self-same year, and each bears 2–5 foliage-leaves, they are also surrounded at the base by a number of membranous bud-scales. The cone-scales have a _thick, rhomboid extremity_ (the “shield”). The buds which develope into long-branches arise at the apex of other long-branches, and being very close together, form false whorls. The female cones occupy the position of long-branches, and take about two years for their development. The male flowers arise close together, and form a spike-like inflorescence at the base of a long-branch of the same year. The male flowers occupy the position of dwarf-branches, so that a female cone may be considered to be a modified long-branch, and a male cone a modified dwarf-branch. The main axis of the seedling has needle-like leaves, similar to those found on the older parts, and on dwarf-branches; it is not until some time later that the dwarf-branches are developed and the permanent arrangement attained.