48 



THE CONIFERS OF THE NORTHERN ROCKIES. 



In its younger state the grand fir has a conical form; as it ap- 

 proaches maturity the outlines of the tree become more cylindrical, 

 owing to the drooping of its lower branches. A habit of the tree fro- 



FIG. 30. Alpine Fir, in Glacier National Park, at an altitude of about fi.OOO feet. The spire- 

 like form is characteristic. 



quently seen is the presence of several erect stems in the tops of older 

 crowns; these develop usually after the destruction of the original 

 leader. The leaves are an inch, more or less, in length, with lighter 

 color on the lower surface, and a tendency to come into a lateral flank- 



