210 TRANSACTIONS OF UOYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



their graceful proportions. Some of the finest Menzies' Firs in 

 Scotland are growing in the policies at Castle Menzies in Perth- 

 shire. As a timber tree, it promises to be one of the best of 

 recently introduced conifers. 



A. morinda (the Himalayan Spruce). — Introduced from India 

 in 1818. It grows at high altitudes, and to a height of 150 

 feet, girthing from 12 to 20 feet. The tree is a very sombre figure 

 in the landscape. It has a coarse open-grained wood, useful for 

 purposes to which fir timber is generally applied ; and contains a 

 large amount of resin in its sapwood. 



A. nigra (the Black Spruce). — Introduced about 1700. Habitat, 

 Noi-th-East America, and westward as far as "Wisconsin. In its 

 native country it attains a height of 60 to 80 feet, with a girth of 

 4 to 6 feet. Its timber is strong, light, and tough, and used for 

 a great variety of purposes ; being durable for inside work, al- 

 though perishing rather quickly when exposed. As an orna- 

 mental tree, it is not often used, but when grown in open places 

 in a moist retentive soil, it forms an attractive tree, of a dai'k 

 spiral habit, the branches often loaded with cones, and having a 

 sti'iking effect among other trees of spreading habit and lighter 

 foliage. 



A. obovata (the Siberian Spruce).- — Introduced by Ledebour 

 from Siberia, where it grows abundantly, and varies in height 

 from a tree of 100 feet to a tiny bush on bleak exposures. Con- 

 sidered by some authorities to be a variety of A. excelsa, but does 

 not closely resemble the latter. 



A. orientalis (the Eastern Spruce). — Introduced in 1839. 

 Habitat, Armenia. An elegant and very ornamental tree ; with 

 short leaves, about one-half as long as A. excelsa. This species 

 is of a pleasing and graceful appearance, of a very hardy nature, 

 and much admired in collections. 



A. polita (the " Tiger's Tail " Fir of Japan). — Introduced in 

 1861. Habitat, Japan ; largely used by the Japanese for orna- 

 mental work. Its leaves are prickly, and of a colour somewhat 

 resembling the Gorse when aged. In habit it is muclx like the 

 Black Norway Spruce. A pictui-esque and useful tree. 



The Silver Firs. 

 I'icea amahilis (the Lovely Silver Fir). — Introduced in 1831. 

 Habitat, Oregon and British Columbia, where it grows to a lieight 

 of 200 feet, and a girth of 20 feet. It does best in a moderately 



