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the leaves are solitary in both. Very little is 

 known of the wood of the fir in this country, where 

 the tree is only planted for ornamental effeft, but 

 it has not a good reputation. 



A . nobilis is perhaps the most lovely of the 

 fir family. The branches grow in horizontal 

 stages, and the leaves, crowded closely together, 

 curve upwards. It is said to grow to a height 

 of two hundred feet, and to form vast forests 

 on the mountains of North California. On his 

 discovery of the " noble fir," Douglas remarks, 

 " I spent three weeks in a forest composed of 

 " this tree, and day by day could not cease to 

 " admire it." 



A. NordniaiinuDia. — This variety was discovered 

 by Professor Nordmann in the Crimea. The 

 leaves are of a deep shining green, and the white 

 silvery lines very clearly defined. The leaves are 

 longer and it is not so lofty; otherwise, it resembles 

 the common fir, A. pcctiiiata. 



A. piiisapo comes from the mountains of 

 Southern Spain. It is clothed all round the 

 branches with short, stiff, pointed leaves, of a 

 lighter green than those of other varieties, and 

 thickly branched down to the very ground, the 

 stem being often invisible. It appears to be the 

 hardiest variety we have, and is the one most 

 commonly met with. 



