THE LIFK HISTORY OF A TREE 17 



leaved tree, and several broad-leaved shrubs such as holly and 

 privet are also evergreen. A conifer may be defined as a 

 species whose leaves are needle-shaped, or a good deal longer 

 than they are broad, and which, with the exception of yew, 

 juniper, and a few other species, bear cones. British grown 

 conifers are all evergreen, with the exception of larch and 

 Taxodinm disticJiuni> the swamp cypress. 



1289 



