540 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



a bend. We do not wish to abuse this graceful peculiarity of the 

 imported tree, but only to call attention by a comparison, to the 

 decided and neglected merits of the native fir. 



Michaux considers the red spruce only a variety and not a 

 distinct species. Other authorities differ with him, but until the 

 matter is decided we prefer to describe them under one head. The 

 foliage variations are certainly quite marked, and from these alone 

 there would be an equal propriety in calling one variety the blue 

 spruce, and another the golden spruce ; for among hundreds of trees 

 of this species growing side by side, two colors are as distinct as if 

 they were of two species. The trees of the bluish cast have leaves 

 a little longer, and arranged around the twigs with more open 

 divergence than the yellowish-green variety. Young trees of the 

 blue foliage seem more dense and vigorous than the yellowish- 

 green sort, but at maturity they have not gained much in growth 

 on the latter. Though the twigs of the yellow-green sort are stiffer 

 and its leaves smaller, the branches of old trees have a way of 

 bending downwards at their extremities, so that their foliage takes 

 the light in finer masses than the blue sort, and at a distance, 

 especially near sunset, an old tree of the latter variety has a warmth 

 of tone that gives it a most pleasing expression. 



THE WEEPING BLACK SPRUCE. A. nigra pendula. A variety 

 that exhibits a very pretty pendulous habit on its outer growth. 

 We do not know whether this and the weeping black spruce, de- 

 scribed among the varieties of the Norway spruce, may not be the 

 same. 



THE NORWAY SPRUCE FIR. Abies excelsa. This universally 

 popular fir is the great timber-tree of northern Europe, rising in its 

 native forests, and in the parks of England, to the height of one 

 hundred and fifty feet. It is so healthy, thrifty, and graceful when 

 young, and adapts itself to so great a variety of soils and climates, 

 that no native tree on our own continent is so universally planted for 

 embellishment. And certainly, among evergreens, none better 

 deserves to be ; for though our white pine has a grander character, 

 and the hemlock more delicately beautiful foliage, more time is 

 required to develop their forms and characters. The Norway 



