204 THE BOOK OF EVERGBEENS. 



to 8,000 feet. In allusion to its immense size, the Indians 

 have given it the name of " Tuc-tuc," which means liter- 

 ally " the Big Tree." 



The high prices charged for the majority of these rare 

 Conifers is probably the reason that we so seldom meet with 

 them in cultivation. Therefore, with the exception of a few 

 of the more enthusiastic cultivators, the A. nobilis, with 

 other kindred species, is almost entirely unknown. But 

 when their merits become more fully understood by our 

 intelligent planters, they will certainly stand high in their 

 esteem. The species we are now describing is apparently 

 quite hardy, but we should advise planters to give the 

 young plants a slight protection during winter. 



In a letter from the lamented Downing to the Horticul- 

 turist a few years since, he thus mentions a splendid speci- 

 men of the Abies nobilis growing in the arboretum at 

 Chatsworth : " But the two most striking and superb trees, 

 which I nowhere else saw half so large and in such per- 

 fection, were Douglas' Fir (A. Douglasii), and the Noble 

 Fir (A. nobilis). They are two of the magnificent ever- 

 greens of California and Oregon, discovered by Douglas, 

 and brought to England about 18 years ago. These two 

 specimens are now about 35 feet high, extremely elegant 

 in their proportions, as well as beautiful in shape and 

 color." 



Another recent writer thus eloquently speaks of this tree : 

 " Its ivy-colored, dark shining green leaves, with horizon- 

 tal, outspreading branches, each tier forming complete 

 platforms around the tree, with a surface almost as level as 

 Utrecht velvet, never fails to put the stranger into a state 

 of amazement to contemplate such a wonderful arrange- 

 ment of beauty, elegance, and perfection." According to 

 Lambert, this species is nearly related to A. Fraseri, but 

 has cones five times as large. 



28, A. IVordniaillliaiia, Link. NOBDMANN'S FIB. Syn. 



