YOUNG TREES, ETC. 59 



any other part of Europe; while that which has 

 been planted and reared in the Lowlands is not 

 nearly so good. Even within the Lowlands them- 

 selves, the quality of the Scots fir is very much 

 influenced by the particular situation upon which 

 it is grown ; and as an instance of this, I may 

 here mention that upon the estate of Arniston, the 

 Scots fir growing upon the high and exposed parts 

 of the estate is of excellent durable quality, while 

 that growing in sheltered parts of the home plan- 

 tations is extremely worthless and soft ; and this 

 same observation relative to the quality of the 

 Scots fir, as affected by situation upon the estate 

 of Arniston, is equally apphcable to every other 

 estate in the Lowlands ; the best timber always 

 being obtained from trees growing upon a thin soil 

 and a high exposed situation. 



There are two varieties of the Scots fir, the Pinus 

 silvestris, and the variety montana, which is the true 

 Highland or Bonnet fir. The late Mr Don of For- 

 far says, "that the montana, or true pine, is dis- 

 tinguished by the disposition of its branches, which 

 are remarkable for their horizontal direction, and 

 for a tendency to bend downwards close to the 

 trunk. The leaves are broader and shorter than 

 in the common kind, and are distinguished at a dis- 

 tance by their much hghter and more beautiful glau- 

 cous appearance. The bark of the trunk is smoother 

 than in the common kind ; the cones are thicker. 



