164 THE BOOK OF EVEKGKEEXS. 



Like the majority of our well-known and very popular 

 plants, this species has a large number of varieties. Some 

 of these are very distinct and desirable for creating effects 

 in gardening, whilst others approach so near the true form 

 of the species as to be unworthy of recording. Loudon 

 names some 10 or 12 varieties which differ only in their 

 manner of growth and color. As every year adds to the 

 number of these foreign varieties, or rather chance kinds, 

 the greater will be the drain on the finances of our own 

 cultivators; we would therefore guard our readers 

 against placing too much dependence upon the glowing 

 descriptions which frequently herald them, as they are very 

 frequently propagated for the sole purpose of increasing 

 the list of names in catalogues, without any distinction to 

 justify such a course. 



Var. ( arpatica. London. Is not recognized as distinct 

 from the species by Gordon, but Loudon says that its 

 lea\ ? es are long and very dense, and that it has very 

 vigorous shoots. 



Var. Clanbrasiliana, London. Is a very small and 

 compact growing bush originating in Ireland, and intro- 

 duced into this country some years ago. It is quite pretty. 



Var. denudata, Hort. Syn. A. e. virgata, Jacques. A 

 very curious French variety, somewhat resembling var. 

 monstrosa, but with more twiggy, reflexed, and spreading 

 branches, and with the leaves stouter and more appressed. 



Var, elegans, London. Another of the pretty little 

 dwarfs, with very slender and light green foliage. It is 

 also quite compact in growth and desirable. 



Var. crcmita, Jfiiight. Syn. A. e. miniata, ^Knight. 

 According to Gordon, this " nearly approaches A. e. mon- 

 strosa, but is much less branching, and with the bark 

 generally of a much redder color." 



Var, Finedonensis, Paul. A new kind, of which Gor- 

 don says : " A striking variety of the Common Spruce, 



