74 THE- SCOTCH FIR. 



fwamps ; and they often compofe woods of 

 vaft extent, cloathing barren and defolate 

 regions unfit for human culture. 



The fpecies of pine now under confi- 

 deration is called with us the Scotch fir, 

 becaufe it grows naturally in fome parts of 

 the Highlands of Scotland, perpetuating 

 itfelf by the feedlings which come up from 

 the fallen cones. It is, however, by no 

 means peculiar to that country, but grows 

 abundantly in the mountainous parts of 

 Norway, Sweden, and Ruffia, covering 

 the fides of the higheft hills, often out of 

 the reach of man. It will thrive in any 

 temperate climate, and delights moft in 

 poor fandy foils. When growing in a 

 thick wood or grove, it is drawn up with 

 a ftraight naked trunk ; but in an open 

 funny expofure it fpreads out with wide 

 branches. As the terminating buds only 

 fend forth fhoots, it will not bear the leaft 

 clipping. Vaft plantations of this tree 

 have been made within the laft thirty or 

 forty years in vauious parts of the ifland, 

 which will at leaft anfwer the purpofe of 



improving 



