ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 81 



lively smallj and taper gradually to a point. 

 The foliage is generally evergreen, and in most 

 trees of this class, hangs in parallel or droop- 

 '""'^ %-!l^T""'''' itig tufts from the branches. The various 

 evergreen trees, composing the spruce and fir families, most 

 of the pines, the cedar, and, among deciduous trees, the larch, 

 belong to this division. Their hue is generally much darker 

 than that of deciduous trees, and there is a strong similari- 

 ty, or almost sameness, in the different kinds of trees which 

 may properly be called spiry-topped. 



From their sameness of form and surface, this class of trees, 

 when planted in large tracts or masses, gives much less plea- 

 sure than round-headed trees : and the eye is soon wearied 

 with the monotony of appearance presented by long rows, 

 groups, or masses, of the same form, outline, and appear- 

 ance ; to say nothing of the effect of the uniform dark colour, 

 unrelieved by the warmer tints of deciduous trees. Any 

 one can bear testimony to this, who has travelled through a 

 pine, hemlock, or fir forest, where he could not fail to be 

 struck with its gloom, tediousness, and monotony, especially 

 when contrasted with the variety and beauty in a natural 

 wood of deciduous, round-headed trees. 



Although spiry-topped trees, in large masses, cannot be 

 generally admired for ornamental plantations, yet they have 

 a character of their own, which is very striking and pe- 

 culiar, and, we may add, extremely valuable to the Land- 

 scape Gardener. Their general expression, when single or 

 scattered, is extremely spirited, wild, and picturesque ; and 

 when judiciously introduced into artificial scenery, they pro- 

 duce the most charming and unique effects. " The situa- 

 tions where they have most effect, is among rocks, and in 

 very irregular surfaces ; and especially on the steep sides 



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