160 THE BOOK OF EVERGREEN'S. 



but as this peculiarity is so changeable and of such little 

 value, it has not been recognized in this country. 



Var, n a i! a. London. Is a very pretty, compact, small 

 bush, about 3 feet in height, like the species in other re- 

 spects. 



Var. minima, EnigTit. Is quite rare, and remarkably 

 dwarf in its habit. It is of French origin and is given 

 by Carriere as Picea alba echinoformis. It is so minute 

 in every portion of the plant, and so regularly globular in 

 outline, as to suggest the name of " Hedgehog Spruce." 



Var. n la lira. Plumbly. DIMSDALE'S SILVER SPRUCE. 

 Is another handsome and distinct European variety, as yet 

 unintroduced into this country. It has very silvery glau- 

 cous leaves, but in size equal to the species. 



. 



2. A. excelsa, De Candolle. NORWAY SPRUCE. Syn. 

 A. Picea, Michavx and Miller, not of Lindley, Leaves, 

 scarcely 1 inch in length, rigid, curved, scattered, acute, 

 dark green color. Branches, numerous and drooping. 

 Cones, from 5 to 7 inches long, pendent at maturity ; with 

 slightly incurved, rhomboidal scales. Seeds, barely of 

 an inch long, reddish-brown color, acute and rough, with 

 a long wing. Cotyledons, 7 to 9. 



This tree has become so common that, to describe it, one 

 feels as if introducing an old and intimate friend. A re- 

 cent writer has said of this tree that it is " so well known 

 and so useful, that the term evergreen has become almost 

 synonymous with Norway Spruce" 



The Norway Spruce is found in the northern climates 

 of Europe and Asia, and becomes rare in descending to- 

 wards the south. In France, Italy, and Spain, it abounds 

 only among the mountains, in deep valleys, and on declivi- 

 ties exposed to the north. On the Alps, at an elevation 

 of from 4,000 to 6,500 feet, it comprises vast forests, and 

 occasionally at a still greater elevation it grows in a 

 dwarfish state. It is also grown in Targe quantities in 



