FIRS 



139 



Fig. 62. 

 Spruce, Picea excelsa (D). 



Picea excelsa, L. Spruce (Figs. 62 and 13, 14). The 

 buds are about 1 cm. long, dry and 

 with oval-oblong reddish brown 

 scales. Branches sub-opposite on 

 the laterals, with a thin, smooth 

 or corrugated reddish brown or 

 orange-brown periderm, passing 

 to a thin greyer scaly and fissured 

 bark. The bud-scales are usually 

 cast off like a hood, separating 

 below and adhering together at 

 the apex (see Fig. 14). Leaf-scars 

 angular, on projecting peg-like 

 cushions (pulvini). 



** Buds resinous, aggregated 2 3 together 

 towards the tips only ; pulvini not promi- 

 nent ; young shoots pubescent ; leaves 

 linear, flat, blunt and markedly pseudo- 

 distichous. Cones erect. 



Abies pectinata, L. Silver Fir. The mature foliage is 

 not so dark and gloomy as in the Spruce, and is often 

 silvery in youth. Buds cylindroid-conic chestnut-brown. 

 Twigs pale brown, striate and hairy. Branches distichous 

 and sub-opposite on the lateral shoots ; greyish brown, 

 smooth, passing to a rugged fissured greyish bark. Leaf- 

 scar a shallow circular rim. 



Pseudotsuga Douglasii. Douglas Fir (Fig. 63), with 

 pendent cones, but other characters intermediate between 

 the Spruces and Silver Firs may come here. It has thin, 

 long and pointed buds, with oval-oblong, lustrous sienna- 

 brown bud-scales, fringed with whitish hairs, pointed but 

 not pungent needles, and no prominent pulvini. The buds 

 are ovoid -pointed or conical, 1 2 cm. long and glistening 



