CHAPTER XXIII. 



V. Evergreen Leaves. 



3. With short, sharp needles, or with scales. 

 THE SPRUCE, ETC. 



The distinguishing difference between the fir and 

 the spruce needle is the sharp tip of the latter, and 

 the blunt, almost squarish tip of the former. A 

 comparison of my drawings of branchlets taken 

 from these two trees will also show a great differ- 

 ence in details which I need not mention here. 

 The little twigs of the spruce are always sur- 

 rounded by a body guard of needles ; the fir tree 

 is content to guard the upper side of the stem, and 

 allow the under side to meet the winter winds un- 

 protected ; hence both stem and back of leaf con- 

 tribute a pleasing variety of color to the tree. 



But the spruce (at least the Eastern spruce) has a 

 uniform dark, somber green,* which only varies with 



* The slight bloom which is occasionally present on the under 

 side of the needle does not seem to affect the general green of the 

 tree. 



281 



