140 SPRUCE FIR 



This species of fir supplies fine timber trees 

 and yields turpentine and several substances 

 valued by the chemist. 



The Spruce Fir so common in Norway, 

 Eussia, and the mountainous parts of Europe 

 generally, is known as Abies excelsa. It 

 is a handsome tree, and often rises to a 

 height of 150 feet. The leaves are dull green, 

 four-cornered, and sharply pointed. The 

 cones are cylindrical, with scales that are 

 slightly waved or toothed. These trees thrive 

 best on a damp soil. The timber is much used 

 and known as white deal. From the trunks 

 issues a resin commonly called frankincense, 

 which when melted in water and strained 

 constitutes Burgundy pitch. 



The Silver Fir, sometimes called Abies picea, 

 receives its name from the fact that its leaves 

 are whitish on their under sides. They are 

 arranged in two rows, and have their points 

 turned upwards. The cones are erect, of a 

 greenish-purple colour, with scales provided 

 with long tapering bracts on their outer surface. 

 The beauty of this tree is such that Virgil has 



