186 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



observed by Dr. Tolmie, as far north along that coast as 

 Milbauk Sound and Stikine. It is also common in the 

 pine forests around Vancouver, and along the high banks 

 of the "SVahlamet and the Oregon. 



In favorable situations this spruce forms a tall tree of 

 about 70 or 80 feet in height, and is frequently clothed 

 with .branches nearly to the ground ; but in the thick 

 clumps and masses, as well as in the vast forests, it runs 

 up a tall, clean trunk that is mostly destitute of limbs for 

 a considerable distance. The old trees, however, are liable 

 to a disease which causes the lower branches to gradually 

 die away, and thereby destroy the symmetry of the tree ; 

 but to the younger plants no objection that we are aware 

 of can be made. The regular, conical form, tapering from 

 a broad base evenly to a long, straight, and thrifty leading 

 shoot, is the common shape of the tree. 



The long, slender branches, drooping gracefully to the 

 ground, present so beautiful a picture, that it is in- 

 deed difficult to surpass it, and when we compare the 

 rich, dark green foliage of a healthy plant that is va- 

 ried so exquisitely with the marked glaucousness of the 

 under side of the leaves, we must admire a tree which 

 presents such a diversity of charms. "We have often 

 lingered admiringly in the contemplation of a group of 

 these trees, watching the play of light and shade as it in- 

 creased or diminished through their verdure, and men- 



^j 



tally compared these claims on our notice with the rarer 

 introductions from abroad; and such meditations invaria- 

 bly resulted in the same conclusion, that, so long as they 

 were Common, (an, American term for native trees), men 

 of more means than taste would prefer the latter class. If 

 such will it, let them enjoy their preference, but so far as 

 we are concerned, were we restricted to one tree, we would 

 far rather have a fine specimen of the Hemlock Spruce, 

 than all the Deodars and Cryptomerias ever introduced. 

 Meehan, in his admirable little book on Ornamental 



