THE SPECIES. 41 



by which they are carried far. as the cone opens on the tree. The 

 bark is gray, coarse, and roughened by long ridges. The wood is 

 firm and fine grained but of no importance. 



DOUGLAS SPRUCE. 



The genus to which this tree belongs is known to botany as Pseudo- 

 tsuga, which means " false hemlock." It bears little resemblance, 

 however, to the hemlocks, spruces, or firs, except in its general 

 aspect. Two species are known, one of which is restricted in its 

 distribution and of little value; the other is found throughout the 

 Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia to Mexico and west 

 to the coast, and is of immense importance economically. As but 

 one species is to be considered in this discussion, the description of the 

 genus will be included in that of the species. 



FIG. 23. Top of a young Douglas Spruce. 



The scientific name of this species is Pseudotsuga taxifolia. Sev- 

 eral popular names are in common usage: Douglas spruce, Douglas 

 fir, Oregon fir, red fir, yellow fir, Oregon pine, etc. The name Doug- 

 las spruce is here chosen, since the tree bears more resemblance to 

 the spruce than to the fir. 



This tree is found in practically all of the coniferous timbered 

 regions of the northern Rockies. Tt furnishes a considerable part 

 of the lumber manufactured in this region. It is often found grow- 

 ing w r ith yellow pine in the drier situations, and it is one of the most 

 drouth-resistant species. It grows much larger, however, where it 



