HARDY ON NOVA SCOTIAN CONIFERS. 125 



northern forms of trees on the south-east coast, is due to the direc- 

 tion of the Alleghanian range, which, commencing in our own 

 Province of vegetation, carries its flora as far south as 35° north 

 latitude, elevation affording the same conditions of growth as dis- 

 tance from the equator. 



The Hemlock is found as a common tree throughout Nova 

 Scotia, loving rich mossy hill sides in the neighb£)urhood of lakes, 

 though generally mixing with other evergreens in all situations. 

 It is found, however, of heaviest growth (70—100 feet), and in large 

 groves, principally in the former situation, and here vies Math the 

 ^^''hite Pine in the gigantic proportion of its trunk, which grows 

 like a mosaic column, throwing out its first branches gnarled and 

 contorted at a height of 60 feet from the ground. The foliage is 

 light and feathery, resembling that of the yew, and in the old forest 

 tree clings round the summit above in dense masses, from which 

 protrude the twisted limb by which the column is abruptly termin- 

 ated. 



Perched high up in its branches may often be seen, in winter 

 time, the sluggish porcupine, whose presence aloft is first detected 

 by the keen eye of the Indian through the scratches of its claws on 

 the trunk, in ascending its favourite tree to feed on the bark and 

 leaves of the younger shoots. 



Large groves of Hemlock growing together in the sloping wood- 

 side present a noble appearance ; their tall straight stems resemble 

 the pillars in the aisle of an old abbey ; the ground beneath is gener- 

 ally free from undergrowth, and deeply covered with a soft carpet- 

 ing of moss, and affords great ease to the foot-sore hunter. One 

 can see far through the far shady grove of giants, and the softened 

 light, entering through the thick' foliage above, gives an air of pleas- 

 ing mystery to the interior of these vast forest cathedrals. 



The timber of the Hemlock is lightly appreciated for building- 

 purposes, being brittle and shakey, and coarse-grained. It is used 

 extensively for wharf and fence posts, being able to resist the action 

 of water a long time, and also has come into demand for railway 

 sleepers. The late Dr. Gesner states, that granaries and grain bins 

 made of Hemlock are not attacked by mice. The bark, Avhich pos- 

 sesses highly astringent properties, is much used in America for 

 tanning, almost entirely superseding that of the oak. It is very 

 16 



