11. =Àbies nóbilis=, Lindl. (NOBLE SILVER FIR.) Leaves 1 to 2 in. long, linear, much curved, the base extending a short distance upward along the branch, then spreading squarely from it, crowded, compressed, deep green above, glaucous below; base of the leaf much less disk-like than in most of the Firs; branches horizontal, spreading, numerous. Cones 6 to 7 in. long and nearly 2 in. in diameter, cylindric, sessile, with large, entire, incurved scales; bracts large, exserted, reflexed, spatulate, with terminal, awl-shaped points. A very large, beautiful tree, from the Pacific coast, where it grows 200 ft. high. Hardy in Pennsylvania, but needs some protection in Massachusetts. [Illustration: A. pectinàta.] 12. =Àbies pectinàta=, DC. (EUROPEAN OR COMMON SILVER FIR.) Leaves ½ to 1 in. long, linear, obtuse, occasionally with an incurved point, polished green above, two white lines below, rigid, straight; branches horizontal and in whorls. Cones 6 to 8 in. long, cylindric, brown when ripe; scales broad, thin, rounded; bracts long, exserted, with an acute reflexed tip. Introduced from Europe. Good specimens can be found as far north as Massachusetts, though our climate is not fitted to give them either long life or perfect form. GENUS =97. LÀRIX.= (THE LARCHES.) Leaves deciduous, all foliaceous, the primary ones scattered, but most of them in bundles of numerous leaves from lateral globular buds. Cones usually small (in one cultivated species 3 in. long), ovoid, erect, with smooth scales. * Cones less than 1 in. long, of not more than 25 scales 1. * Cones 1 to 2 in. long, of from 40 to 60 scales 2, 3. * Cones 2 to 3 in. long, with thick, woody, somewhat divergent deciduous scales. (Pseudolarix) 4. [Illustration: L. Americàna.] 1. =Làrix Americàna=, Michx. (AMERICAN LARCH. TAMARACK OR HACKMATACK.) Leaves less than 1 in. long, thread-like, linear, slender, light bluish-green. Cones ½ to ¾ in. long, ovoid, of a reddish color. A tree of large size, 50 to 100 ft. high, growing wild in all the northern portion of our region, and frequent in cultivation, although not quite so fine a tree as Larix Europæa. [Illustration: L. Europæa.] 2. =Lárix Europæa=, DC. (EUROPEAN LARCH.) Leaves 1 in. long, linear, obtuse, flat, soft, numerous, and bright green in color. Cones sometimes more than 1 in. long, with oval, erect, very persistent scales. A beautiful tree with horizontal branches and drooping branchlets; abundant in cultivation. Var. _pendula_ has long, pendent branches, and forms a very fine weeping tree. [Illustration: L. Leptolépsis.]