THE FORESTS OF ACADIE. 



33 



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however, here contain a larger number of trees, which, 

 though they arc exceedingly .similar in general appear- 

 ance, are specifically distinct from their European con- 

 geners. 



Under the Arctic circle, as pointed out by Sir J. 

 Richardson, and beyond the limits of tree growth, but 

 little appreciable difi'erence exists in circumpolar vegeta- 

 tion, and so we recognise in the luxuriant cryptogamous 

 flora of the forests we are describing most of the mosses 

 and lichens found across the Atlantic, which here attain 

 such a noticeable development. As with nobler forms, 

 America, however, adds many naw species to the 

 list. 



The Black Spruce is one of the most conspicuous and 

 cliaracteristic forest trees of ^ orth-Eastern America, 

 forming a large portion of the coniferous forest growth, 

 and found in almost every variety of circumstance. 

 Sometimes it apptnxrs in mixed woods, of beautiful 

 growth and of great height, its immerous branches 

 drooping in graceful curves from the apex towards 

 the ground, which they sweep to a distance of twenty 

 to thirty feet from the stem, whilst the sunmiit ter- 

 minates in a dense arrow head, on the short sprays 

 of which are crowded heavy masses of cones. At 

 others, it is found almost the sole growth, covering 

 large tracts of country, the trees standing thick, with 

 straight clean stems and but little foliage except 

 at the summit. Then there is the black spruce swamp, 

 where the tree shows by its contortions, its unhealthy 

 foliage, and its stem and limbs shaggy with usnea, 

 the hardships of its existence. Again on the open 

 bog gro^\'s the black spruce, scarcely higher than a cab- 



