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Bolsam Fir (Ahies halsamea). — General aspect of leafy 

 horizontal branches flattened, due to the approximately hori- 

 zontal position of the leaves. Upper surface a bright, .clear 

 green, under surface markedly bluish green. Each leaf ses- 

 sile, averaging 3^ inch in length, with the sides nearly parallel 

 and the apex distinctly notched; upper surface bright, deep 

 green, with a longitudinal depression in the middle; lower 

 surface with two broad whitish stripes, one on each side of 

 the distinctly projecting midrib. Bark of season's shoots 

 light reddish brown, rather thickly covered with stiff brown 

 hairs ; bark of older twigs darker. Buds clear reddish brown, 

 with the imbricated scales covered by a transparent shiny 

 xarnish ; subconical and rather small, averaging about Vq 

 inch. Leaves with a distinct balsamic odor aiid aromatic 

 taste. Cones large, averaging 4 inches long by 1 inch wide, 

 with the margins of the scales rounded; projecting upward 

 from the small branches. 



The balsam fir is an abundant tree in the northern forests. 

 It is noted for the fragrance of its branches and for the trans- 

 parent resin produced upon the bark, which is the source of 

 the Canada balsam, largely used for preserving objects for 

 microscopic study as well as for other purposes. The wood 

 is used largely commercially in making paper pulp. 



Low Jiniiper (Jimiperus nana). — A low-growing shrub, 

 often occupying circular areas in dry pastures and o*n open 

 hillsides throughout the northern States and much of Can- 

 ada. Leaves awl shaped, commonly coming out of the stem 

 in whorls of three, sometimes simply opposite in two ; hol- 

 lowed on under side and curved downward as seen from 

 above. Upper surface deep green ; general elf ect of under 

 surface blue green on account of the whitish stripes along 

 the middle of the under surface of each leaf. Bark of the 

 last season's twigs very light brovTi, with a greenish or gray- 

 ish tint : bark of the next to the last season's growth reddish 

 brown, and of older branches dark brown. Leaves « 5 inches 

 to . 6 inches long. Fruit a berry-like object, 1^4 iiich long 

 by Vo inch broad ; blue, with a glaucous bloom. The berry is 

 formed by the union of the thickened fleshy scales, the tips 

 of which mav p-enerallv be seen. These enclose the three 



