TREES GROWING NEAR WATER. 107 



Although they have no souls, life must still be sweet to 

 them. 



The American larch with its soft, fine foliage is one of our 

 most graceful trees. In the early spring its flowers peep out, 

 much before the leaves ; they grow from broad lateral buds, 

 and although the sterile ones are yellow the fertile ones are a 

 brilliant crimson. The light brown wood of the tree is resinous 



tnd very durable. Its more practical uses than those already 

 eferred to are in the making of railroad ties and various parts 

 of ships. 



L. Europcea is a relative of the American tree which is fre- 

 quently seen in cultivation. It is of rapid and fine growth and 

 very ornamental. Perhaps its colour is a deeper shade of green 

 than that of the native one, and its leaves are a trifle longer. 

 Its branches appear to droop more, and its cones too are longer 

 and have many more scales. There is a weeping form of the 

 European larch which is also known in cultivation. 



