THE SPRUCE FIR. 393 



tree is shattered by some accident, has lost many of its 

 branches, and is scathed and ragged. A feathery branch 

 here and there, among broken stumps, has often an 

 admirable effect, but it must arise from some particular 

 situation. In all circumstances, however, the Spruce Fir 



CONES OF SPRUCE FIR. 



appears best either as a single tree, or unmixed with any of 

 its fellows : for neither it nor any of the spear-headed race 

 will ever form a beautiful clump without the assistance of 

 other trees." l 



It is, however, only in its native haunts, the sides of 

 mountain ravines, that the real picturesque beauty of the 

 i Gilpin. 

 s 3 



