SCOTCH FIR. 329 



fishermen of Loch Broom, in Ross-shire, convert the bark 

 to similar purposes. Travellers who visit the high moor- 

 lands at the head of the Derwent, between Blaikland and 

 Wolsingham, on the river Wear, may see the roots and 

 trunks of noble fir-trees protruding from the black peat 

 moss, in consequence of the water being drained off, and 

 the peat left dry, though the trees are no longer indigenous. 

 Such is also the case on the mountains of Cross Pell, at an 

 elevation of nearly three hundred feet. But though planted 

 and protected on a lower level, our tribe never attain the 

 size of those ancient pines. A few, of considerable dimen- 

 sions, maintain somewhat of our ancient dignity by the 

 Eden at Corby, in Cumberland, but on moorland soils, once 

 nobly guarded and embellished with giant trees; those of 

 the present day seldom thrive after thirty or forty years 

 of age; their strong central roots no longer pierce the 

 rough soils, and, descending far downwards, grapple the firm 

 rocks, but seem impeded in their course, and the horizontal 

 roots, spreading according to their custom very near the 



