74 SYLVAN WIXTEK. 



between its spiry points and the round-headed 

 Oaks and Elms in its neighbourhood. When I 

 speak, however, of the Scotcfr Fir as a beautiful 

 individual, I conceive it when it has outgrown all 

 the more unpleasant circumstances of its youth, 

 when it has completed its full age, and when, like 

 Ezekiel's Cedar, it has formed its liead among the 

 thick branches. I may be singular in my attach- 

 ment to the Scotch Fir; I know it has many 

 enemies, and that may perhaps induce me to be 

 more compassionate to it; however, I wish my 

 opinion in its favour may weigh no more than the 

 reasons I give to support it.' 



Umbrageousness is the distinguishing character 

 of the Stone Pine (page 240). Indeed, the name 

 of Umbrella Pine is particularly well earned, for 

 not only the expansive and sheltering spread 

 of its sombre-green foliage, but the direction 

 taken by its limbs resemble strongly the head- 

 covering and framework of an umbrella. The 

 trunk is short and stout, and the limbs are given 

 off from it at very wide angles, and, from the 

 point of intersection with the top of the bole, 

 proceed at once in curves outwards and upwards. 



