DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



269 



northern parts of the Union, and the Canadas. The leaves 

 are collected in little bunches, and the branches shoot out 

 from the main stem in a horizontal, or, more generally, 

 in a dechning position. 



^^^^^ 



[Fig. 39. The European Larch.] 



For picturesque beauty, the Larch is almost unrivalled. 

 Unlike most other trees which must grow old, uncouth, and 

 misshapen before they can attain that expression, this is 

 singularly so, as soon almost as it begins to assume the 

 stature of a tree. It can never be called a beautiful tree, 

 so far as beauty consists in smooth outlines, a finely rounded 

 head, or gracefully drooping branches. But it has what is 

 perhaps more valuable, as being more rare, — the expression 

 of boldness and picturesqueness peculiar to itself, and 



