12 CONIFEROUS TREES 



shape, with conspicuous refiexed bracts. This is 

 the tree which caused the mountains on which it 

 is found to be designated the Black Mountains, 

 giving, as it does, the sombre hue for which they 

 are justly remarkable. In this country the tree 

 succeeds well on peaty soils, especially where a 

 small quantity of loam has been added previous 

 to planting. Rarely, however, is it a satisfactory 

 species unless in a juvenile state. 



A. GRANDis, Lindley. Tall Silver Fir. (Syn- 

 onyms : Pinus grandis, Douglas ; Picea grandis, 

 Loudon.) Vancouver Island to California, near 

 the coast ; western slopes of Rocky Mountains. 

 1 83 1. — This is a truly handsome conifer, and one 

 that is well adapted for ornamental planting, the 

 soft rich green foliage, densely branched stem, and 

 symmetrical habit being recommendations that 

 are rarely so well combined in one species. The 

 branches of A . grandis are usually arranged in fiat, 

 horizontal tiers, with the tips slightly upturned, 

 and are, more particularly the branchlets, glabrous, 

 and of a light, pleasing green. The leaves are of 

 unequal length, arranged on the lower branches in 

 double, and those near the top in treble rows, the 

 lower series of leaves being longer than the upper, 

 or from i-J- inches to fully 2 inches in length. 

 They are usually bifid at the ends, but this I have 

 noticed is more particularly the case in the foliage 

 of the branches near the top of the tree, channelled 

 above, and with two silvery lines beneath. The 

 cones are bronzy green, 4 inches long by i| inches 

 in diameter, almost cylindrical, usually in pairs, 

 and seated close to the stem, or, in other words, 

 devoid of foot-stalks. This is, however, not 



