GYMNOSPERMS 17 
timber-spruce_of the northeastern United States, and furnishes much 
rather tough lumber for use in floor-joists, scantling, and similar 
purposes. 
3. P. alba, Link. Wuitrre Spruce, SKUNK SprucE, CAT SPRUCE. 
A tall, rather conical tree, 60-70 ft. high. Leaves pale and with a 
bloom sometimes 3 in. long. Cones cylindrical, with rounded ends, 
about 2 in. long, falling inside of one year. A handsome tree, 
valuable for timber, ranging far northward. 
4. P. excelsa, Link. Norway Spruce. A large tree. Leaves 
dark green, 3-1 in. long. Cones 5-7 in. long. Cultivated from 
Europe. 
Ill. TSUGA, Carriére. 
Sterile flowers, clusters of stamens springing from the axils 
of leaves of the preceding year. Cones terminal, on twigs of 
the preceding year, drooping, thin-scaled, ripening the first 
year. Leaves minutely petioled, short, flat, white beneath, 
2-ranked. 
1. T. canadensis, Carriere. Hemiock. A large tree, in age 
branchless below when growing in dense woods. When young the 
spray is very graceful and abundant. Leaves short-linear. Cones 
3 in. or less in length. The wood is coarse and splintery, but useful 
for fences and other rough work. The thick reddish bark is of 
great value for tanning. 
IV. ABIES, Link. 
Sterile flowers from axils of leaves of the preceding year. 
Cones erect, on the sides of the branches, with deciduous 
scales, ripening the first year. Leaves scattered, but on hori- 
zontal branches appearing 2-ranked, flat above, silvery, and 
with a prominent midrib below. | 
1. A. balsamea, Miller. Baztsam Fir. A slender tree, 50-60 
ft., occasionally 80 ft., high, with dense foliage. Leaves narrowly 
linear, less than 1 in. long. Cones violet-colored until old, cylindri- 
cal, 2-4 in. long. The bark contains many large blisters, filled with 
the well-known Canada balsam. The wood is brittle, and of little 
value. 
V. LARIX, Tourn. 
Flower-spikes short, opening in early spring, before the 
leaves; the fertile ones, while still young, of a beautiful crim- 
