340 SCOTCH FIR (PINE). 



and look from the rosy streak that still lies across the heather to the 

 dusky canopy above your head. Rays of red and gold lend a glory 

 to the upper boughs, but their shadows fall, sharp and clear-cut, on 

 the stem ot the tree. Against a background of bright clouds gathered 

 on the horizon, the trunk rises like a grey pillar, nobly poised. 

 Behind and above it is a mass of foliage, all in purple shadow, 

 except where the sky breaks in upon the outer fringe ; the nearer 

 branches that lie across it hold the sunlight in their ridges. Below 

 the main eroup ot toliacre a tew broken boufjhs with ray-o-ed ends, 

 jut out forlornly. In a hollow close at hand are the stumps of trees 

 already felled, with cushions of yellow moss and gaudy funguses 

 clustering about the roots. Where the living trees stand in close 

 order the ground is thickly strewn with pine-needles all dried to 

 brown and grey, except where a rabbit scuttling through has turned 

 up the damp red leat-mould underlying the surface. A squirrel has 

 fled from his feast upon the cone-seeds and left heaps of broken 

 husks behind. Stay a little longer— the glow of enchantment is passing: 

 the bank of cloud has grown trom bright to dull, and spared no 

 radiance to the trees. The rattle of a night-jar sounds sharply 

 through the branches ; afterwards their sott soughing alone disturbs 

 the stillness. The night air is full of a resinous scent. Darkness 

 reigns iii the Pine wood. 



FIRS AND PINES. 



The tree commonly known as the Scotch Fir belongs to the 

 family of the Pines. Some very striking characteristics separate the 

 conifers from other trees, and well marked habits ot growth dilfcrentiate 

 the Firs from the rest of their tribe. 



