CHRISTMAS TREES 



307 



The common larch is a fourth common kind of conifer. 

 It is distinguished from other pine trees which flourish in 

 England by shedding its needles so as to leave itself 

 bare in the winter. It is called " Larix Europcea," and is 

 closely related to the cedars. It was introduced into 

 England in 1629. 



Man by his migrations and trading journeys has 

 had far more to do with the introduction and spreading 

 of trees, and even of small flowering plants, from one 

 country to another, than is commonly suspected. It 

 appears that of the trees I have already mentioned only 

 the Scots fir is really native to these islands. Even the 

 Christmas tree, the common spruce, was introduced from 

 the Continent by invading man after we had become 

 separated by the sea from the mainland of Europe. 

 The introduction took place, it seems, in very early 

 times, and there is no record of the event. Peat 

 deposits have been studied and their age estimated, 

 and it is found that in those of the age of the neolithic 

 men there are no remains of spruce, but only of 

 Scots firs ! 



The conifers are remarkable not only for their 

 " cones," but for the needle-like shape which their leaves 

 often present, whence the latter are spoken of simply as 

 " needles." Conifers are also distinguished by the fine 

 aromatic oils which they produce in these needles and 

 in their wood, which serve them as a protection against 

 browsing animals, although to man their perfume is 

 agreeable. In the Tyrol, near Cortina, I remember a 

 little shop in the pine woods where you could buy the 

 odorous essences extracted from the different species 

 of conifers growing around, and each species had its 

 own special perfume. Besides these aromatic oils, the 



