CONIFERS. 39 



when older, sHglitly scared and ashy-green ; and when matured more 

 or less rough, fissured, and scaly, and reddish-grey; and when aged 

 ashy-grey in colour. 



This tree is most appropriately named, for it is indeed a grand Fir. 

 First discovered and introduced to us hy poor Douglas, from Northern 

 California, hut it has since heen found in British Columbia and 

 Vancouver's Island, both in the true and quasi form, for it is now 

 plentiful in this country as a Quasi- Grandis {Lowiana, of some, 

 Magnifica of others ;) which, at least in their young state, are in so 

 far as foHage goes distinct from the original ; having leaves duller green 

 above, and less conspicuously marked with the glaucous silvery bands 

 below ; and the branchlets more spreading and Hghter coloured, and 

 nothing like the glossy, smooth, and varnished young growths of the 

 true species. 



Most of the young specimens and trees of it, at least of any size, in 

 this country have been propagated by grafting, layering, or cuttings ; 

 consequently many branches of it are to be found, no doubt many of 

 them beautiful ; but far inferior in grandeur to what they would have 

 been, if raised from seed. 



It prefers moist (not wet, nor sour) soils ; and alluvial valleys are its 

 choice of situation : it is perfectly hardy, not predisposed to early 

 growth ; and well deserves to be much more extensively planted in the 

 beautifying of our landscapes than it now is ; and as many young 

 plants of it raised from seed are now extant, it will no doubt ere long 

 be more highly appreciated, and eventually find its way into every 

 plantation of beautiful trees. 



PiCEA NOBILIS : The I^oble Silver Fir. 



APOSTEOPHISED BY THE FIRS AND PINES. 



Hail ! empress of the Firs and Pines ! 



Grand giants ! pigmies gTeen ! 

 Wliat Pine, what Fir its vow declines. 

 To crown thee Picea's Queen ? 



Leaves, from one-half to two inches long, solitary, flat, linear 

 falcate, compressed, turned upwards, and very closely disposed on the 

 branch stems, particularly on the sides and tops ; but as the branchlets 

 become adult branches, the leaves become more or less irregularly 

 arranged in two rows : rich blueish green above, and silvery below ; 

 and when viewed at a short distance the spray appears a beautiful 

 combination, a conglomerate mass, as it were, of rich silvery gi'cen, and 

 glaucous violet shades and tints. 



Cones, these are generally solitary, and growing upon the upper 



Hail ! Nobilis ; thy sceptre sway 



O'er Ficea's silver traia : 

 Our homage, Beauty's due, we pay, 



To thy all verdant reign. 



