generally cultivated throughout the whole of Italy,
from the foot of the Alps to Sicily. It is not commonly found higher
than from 1,000 feet to 1,500 feet, but it occurs in the south of
Italy as high as 2,000 feet. It is found, according to Sibthorp, on
the sandy coasts of the Western Peloponnesus, in the same conditions,
probably, as in the middle of Italy; it is also met with in the
island of Melida. Cultivated, it is found on all the shores of the
Mediterranean. In northern Europe, and especially in England, its
general appearance is certainly that of a low-growing tree, its
densely clothed branches forming almost a spherical mass; but in the
sunny south it attains a height of 75 feet to 100 feet, losing, as it
ascends, all its branches, except those toward the summit, which, in
maturity, assume a mushroom form.

Seen in the soft clime of Italy in all its native vigor, the Stone
pine is always majestic and strangely impressive to a northern eye,
whether in dense forests, as near Florence, in more open masses, as at
Ravenna, in picturesque groups, as about Rome, or in occasional single
trees, such as may be seen throughout the country, but rather more
frequently toward the coast. In these isolated trees their imposing
character can be best appreciated, the great trunk carrying the
massive head perfectly poised, an interesting example of ponderous
weight gracefully balanced. The solid, weighty appearance of the
head of the tree is increased by its even and generally symmetrical
outline, this especially in the examples near the coast, the mass of
foliage being so close and dense that it looks like velvet, and in
color a warm rich olive green, strangely different from the blue
greens and black greens of our northern pines. The lofty or normal
type with the umbrella-formed top is almost peculiar to Central and
Southern Italy. In other parts of the south of Europe, though often
attaining large dimensions, it remains more dwarf and rotund in shape.

[Illustration: THE STONE PINE (PINUS PINEA) AT CASTEL GANDOLFO, IN
ITALY.]

This pine has not been much planted in this country, owing, no
doubt, to its slow growth and want of hardiness in a young state.
Consequently there are not many large specimens, and certainly none to
compare with those of Italy for size or picturesque beauty. Mr. A. D.
Webster, the forester at Penrhyn Castle, North Wales, who has kindly
sent us a fine cone of this pine, writes thus respecting it: "A