THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 159 



Coppermine River, in latitude 67-J- , within twenty miles 

 of the Arctic Sea, where it attained the height of twenty 

 feet or more ; but in its usual native forests it rarely ex- 

 ceeds 50 feet in height. The same author also mentions, 

 according to London, a tree growing in Down, Ireland, 

 GO years planted, which measures 55 feet in height ; and 

 another in Galway, at Cool, is 56 feet in height, with a di- 

 ameter of 2^ feet. 



This species, from its close resemblance to A. nictra, or 

 Black Spruce, has been considered by some botanists as a 

 well-marked variety of the latter, with less numerous and 

 longer leaves, and having cones of a different form, with 

 entire scales. "We are inclined to think its specific dis- 

 tinction is based on a rather unsubstantial foundation, and 

 would have been pleased had our authorities seen proper 

 to have reduced it to a variety. It is much less common 

 than the Black Spruce, and is generally found growing in 

 the same situations, although the former is found a few 

 degrees further south. The wood is inferior to that of 



\j 



the latter, and the young shoots, when bruised, have an 

 unpleasant odor. 



The charming color of this tree, and particularly of the 

 young plants, has made it a great favorite with arboricul- 

 turists, and for ornamental purposes it is very far superior 

 to the Black Spruce ; indeed, the latter species is not usu- 

 ally considered of sufficient excellence to be classed among 

 the ornamental trees. In a group of the darker-foliaged 

 evergreens, a fine plant of Abies alba, placed in the fore- 

 ground, will always excite admiration from the lively con- 

 trast exhibited ; and when we take into consideration its 

 perfect hardiness, we have no hesitation in pronouncing it 

 one of our most desirable species. 



There is a variety (in the common acceptation of the 

 term) called coertdea, with a light bluish tint on the foli- 

 age, which is recognized by some foreign nurserymen ; 



