35: 
but when two, three, or more of a ring of branches are cut off, the 
remaining ones grow large, and the result is a shapeless bit of 
deformity, of which illustrations are plentiful under the Folkestone 
Leas.’ The Silver Firs, species of Abies, are entitled to a prize, for 
they are grand and fair, one of them being the largest of European 
conifers. The ‘“silver’’ means that on the under side of the 
leaves there is usually a shining silvery line. ‘Abies’? comes 
from the Latin ‘‘ abeo, ” ‘I rise up,” or “ spring. ” There are at 
least five species that rise up over a hundred and fifty feet, three of 
them often not stopping short of three hundred feet. Such names 
as-amabilis (lovely), ‘magnifica (magnificent), grandis (tall), and 
nobilis (noble), tell their own tale. | 268 3 
_ Such great trees as have been mentioned are indeed very grand, 
impressive, and awe-inspiring. Their great “length of days ”* 
stands out in bold contrast to our three score years and ten. Many 
conifers are beautiful, although they have no gay petals like the 
rose. They may be only green, but : 
‘Green is to the eye what to the ear is harmony, 
- And to the scent the rose.” =f 
But the green is not all, for in the spring time it is often brightened’ 
up by the very conspicuous colours of the pollen-bearing flowers 
as well as the different hues of the young shoots. And there are’ 
in many cases striking varieties which are pleasing to the eye and 
interesting to the gardener, but puzzling enough to the student, 
An illustration of this is found in the yew, for of this well-known 
tree there are numerous varieties, and, as varieties require names, 
there is a great heaping up of Latin, and not a little confusion, 
It is quite enough for a botanist to learn the names which indicate 
what are believed to be real species, and he may very well leave thé 
rest to people who make a special study of this or that. particular 
class. Many conifers are as useful as they are ornamental: 
Indeed, it is not. possible to over-rate the value of this order, as @ 
whole, for it supplies the builder with a very large part of the 
timber he requires. All the varieties of deal are the produce of 
pines and firs, and so are resin, tar, pitch, and turpentine. The 
ship builder knows the value of the long straight stems. of pines 
and firs, for of these are made the masts of ships, as -well as the 
deck planks, spars, beams, and so forth. Milton (‘Paradise Lost,’ 
Buok I.) speaks thus of: Satan, “ the superior fiend ” : : 
Bik ‘* His spear, to equal which the tallest pine; 
nto ect Hewn on Norwegian hills to be the mast ; 
: Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand.” 
In “‘The Merchant of Venice” we find’ Antonio answering Shy: 
Tock in these words :—=' PiieS, WPACT Es Ok 420 erg 
