Able. nigra, the Black Spruce Fir (Michaux ; Pines nigra and rubs, Lambert). Leaves spreading equally round the stein, short, four-cornereL Cones ovate-oblong, obtuse, with ragged rounded scales. It is a native of the most inclement regions of North America, especially in swampy situations and in the valleys between ridges of low hills, where the soil is deep, black, and humiel. In such situations are found the finest forests of this species, and there, although the trees are so crowded together as often not to be more than four or five feet apart, the timber arrives at the height of 70 or 80 feet, with a diameter of from 16 to 20 inches. The firs in the landscapes of northern scenery illustrating Franklin's first ' Polar Expedition' are of this species, which, however, Dr. Richardson did not observe higher than C5' N. let. The trunk is remarkable for the perfect regu larity with which it diminishes from the base upwards. The head is of a regularly pyramidal figure, the branches spreading almost horizon tally, and not inclining towards the earth, as in the Norway Spruce. The timber is of great vain°, on account of its strength, lightness, and The timber is heavy, firm, of as deep a colour as yew, with very few knots, and not in the least liable to warp. The growth is exceed ingly rapid.
A considerable number of plants of this important species arc now scattered among the parks and woods of this country, some hundreds having been raised and distributed by the Horticultural Society; it appears to suit this climate perfectly, and to be likely to prove more valuable than even the larch itself, being evergreen, and fully as hardy.
Abies Menziesii, the Menzies Fir (Pines Menziesii, Douglas and Lambert). Leaves very short, rigid, rather sharp-pointed, whitish beneath, spreading regularly round the stem, very deciduous. Cones oblong, composed of very lax, ragged, retuse, ovate, thin scales, much longer than the narrow, serrated, concealed bractem. Buds ovate, a ute, covered with resin. It is a native of Northern California, where it was found by Mr. Douglas, who describes the wood as being of excellent quality.
Leares growing in clusters; deciduous.
By some botanists this section is considered essentially different from Abirs ; but the want of any clear distinctive characters, either in the mode of growth or the organs of fructification, induces us to concur with Untie:um, Juesieu, and Richard, in considering the Larch as belonging to the same genus as the Spruce. The leaves of the former ore clustered or faseiculated, merely in consequence of the universal non-development of lateral branches; so that the leaves themselves make their appearance without a perceptible central axis.
This is proved not only in the Cedar of Lebanon, but even in the Larch itself, by numerous cases where the branches being less abortive than usual, lengthen enough to display their real nature.
Abies Lanz, Richard ; the Common Larch Fir (Pines Lari.r, nieus ; Lari.r Europa-a, De Candolle). Leaves clustered, deciduous. Cones orate-oblong, blunt. It is a native of the mountains of the middle of Europe, of Russia, and of Siberia. In the latter country it is the commonest of all trees, delighting in dry elevated situations, where it forms vast forests, sparingly intermixed with pines. Its trunk grows very erect, with graceful drooping branches, gradually diminishing from the base to the apex, and giving it a regularly pyramidal form. In the spring, when its young leaves !Hive just burst into life, it has a peculiar bright yellowish-green tint, which is possessed by no other tree of our foreeta. The Larch has been now for ninny years extensively cultivated upon barren exposed land, both in England and Scotland, and it has been found one of the most profitable of all trees to the planter, provided the land be well drained ; bu t it will not)succeed in swampy situations. It grows with great rap idity, is subject to very few accidents, transplants with but little risk, and produces timber of great excellence and value, not only for domestic but for naval purposes. In mountainous districts in Scotland the thickened at the margin. Mount Lebanon and the range of Taurus are the native spots of this most stately and magnificent tree, which compensates for its want of height by its huge wide-spreading arms, each of which is almost a tree in itself. According to Labillardiere, a French traveller in Syria, the largest of those now remaining on Lebanon is at least nine feet in diameter. The trees are held in great veneration, and a holiday is set apart for the Feast of Cedars. Its growth is far from being so slow as- some imagine ; on the con trary, the observations of those who have cultivated it with care prove that it will vie in rapidity of growth with almost any forest tree. Cedar-wood has the reputation of being indestructible ; instances have been named of its having been taken from buildings uninjured after a lapse of two thousand years. But it appears highly probable, from some interesting observations made at Tangier by Mr. Drummond Duke of Athol has planted it in immense quantities ; and it appears, from a report of that nobleman to the Horticultural Society, that in situations 1500 to 1600 feet above the level of the sea, he has felled trees, eighty years old, which have each yielded six loads of the finest timber.