190 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



trees found by the explorers Lewis and Clarke were of 

 this species, some of which actually measured 300 feet in 

 height. According to most writers, however, they vary 

 from 150 to 200 feet in height. As the summits of the 

 mountains are neared, this species becomes a mere bush 

 of only a few feet in height. Dr. Parry, who recently 

 explored Pike's Peak and other haunts of this tree, thus 

 alludes to it : " Abundant through the eastern mountain 

 district, except on the higher elevations. A very sightly 

 tree of the average height of 80 feet, with a graceful, oval 

 outline ; the spreading branches curving upwards at the 

 extremities." 



In Downing's description of the pinetum at Dropmore, 

 he says : " The oldest and finest portion of the pinetum 

 occupies a lawn of several acres near the house, upon 

 which are assembled, like belles at a levee, many of those 

 loveliest of evergreens the Araucaria, or Pine of Chili, 

 the Douglas Fir of California, the sacred Cedar of India, 

 the Funebral Cypress of Japan, and many others. 



" Perhaps the finest tree in this scene is the Douglas 

 Fir, (Abies Douglasii). It is 62 feet high, and has grown 

 to this altitude in 21 years from the seed. It resembles 

 most the Norway Spruce, as one occasionally sees the fin- 

 est form of that tree, having that graceful, downward 

 sweep of the branches, and feathering out quite down to 

 the turf, but it is altogether more airy in form, and of a 

 richer and darker green in color. At this size it is the 

 symbol of stately elegance." 



Having been intimately acquainted with this tree for a 

 number of years and observed it closely, we unhesitatingly 

 place it upon the list of available ornamental trees, with 

 certain restrictions ; and these are the same we have fre- 

 quently recurred to in our remarks on other Rocky Moun- 

 tain plants. We consider it superior in hardiness to the 

 A. Smithiana, and much less susceptible of scorching by 

 the action of the sun's rays, 



