II 



ABIES, OR SILVER FIRS 



(Of the natural order of CONIFERS, of the 



FAMILY PINACEiE, OF THE TRIBE ABIETINEiE, 



of the sub-tribe SAPINEiE, and genus 

 ABIES) 



I remember, I remember. 



The fir trees tall and high, 

 I used to think their slender spires 



Were close against the sky. 



Hood. 



The writer goes on to apologize for this illusion of 

 his youth and describes it as a " childish ignorance. " 

 We, on the contrary, should pronounce it a very 

 sound sylvicultural observation that matured wisdom 

 would faithfully endorse. 



How many tree lovers are there who have not, at 

 one time or another of their life, been prevailed upon 

 by some enthusiastic host, bursting with pardonable 

 pride and parish patriotism, to make a joint expedition 

 afoot for the purpose of viewing the giant wonder 

 tree of the country-side, a mighty Fir, that has sur- 

 passed all compeers ; and who, perhaps, after a toil 

 and moil of many mountainous miles, have not at 

 last been regaled with the sight of an old familiar 

 friend, in the undisguised form of the Common 

 Silver Fir. 



This tree, which is unquestionably most divinely 

 tall, the most divinely exalted type of its species with 

 us, rejoices in a super-growth that so far outrivals 



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