CHAP, xii.] ABIETINE^. 215 



as in the Spruce Firs, but the under side is 

 marked by two distinct lines of silvery white, 

 one on each side the midrib. The cones stand 

 erect, and the dorsal bract is frequently so large 

 as to appear above the tips of the scales ; and 

 the scales themselves are deciduous, falling off 

 when the seeds are ripe, leaving the central 

 rachis bare. This last peculiarity is very 

 striking; as both the Pines and Spruce Firs retain 

 the scales of their cones after the seeds have 

 fallen. The seeds of the Silver Firs are much 

 larger than those of the Spruces ; and they are 

 not attached to the wing in the same manner. 

 The Silver Fir is a noble tree, and takes its 

 name from the epidermis of its bark ; which in 

 young trees is of a whitish grey, and smooth, 

 though when the tree is about fifty or sixty 

 years old, it cracks and peels off, leaving the 

 dark brown rough bark beneath- The cones 

 are produced two or more together ; they are 

 upright and cylindrical, being nearly as large at 

 both ends as in the middle. The leaves all 

 curve upwards at the point, thus showing con- 

 spicuously the white lines on the under side. 

 A remarkable circumstance connected with this 

 tree is, that when it is cut down, the stump will 

 remain alive for many years, and even increase 

 considerably in size, witliout producing any 

 leaves or branches. One in the forests of the 



