THE CONIFEEOUS FORESTS 



ditions of their environment, which, if 

 we except certain large tracts of pine 

 forests, is commonly placed among 

 mountains and at considerable eleva- 

 tions above the sea. To these several 

 sources must be ascribed many of the 

 qualities that have invested the ever- 

 green forests with a peculiar magnifi- 

 cence and beauty. 



The reader may be surprised at the 

 statement that coniferous forests are 

 distinguished for a "dense commu- 

 nity of growth," for it must have 

 been noticed that many of our Rocky 

 Mountain forests do not bear evidence 

 of this fact. And yet it is true that 

 the typical habit, so to speak, of the 

 conifers is a close huddling together of 

 individuals. It is shown in the mas- 

 sive red fir forests of western Wash- 

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