458 CONIFERvE. 



as one thousand feet, showing it to be a tree of a har- 

 dier constitution than the Pinus sylvestris, and capable 

 of growing in a more elevated zone. It is also common 

 in the north of Germany, on the Alps of Switzerland, the 

 Tyrol, &c, and extends to Siberia and the north of 

 Russia, even within the arctic circle, and is also indigenous 

 on the mountains of the north of Asia. In all these dif- 

 ferent localities it affects a moister and softer description 

 of soil than the Pinus syfoestris, growing most luxuriantly 

 in what may be called springy ground, such as is fre- 

 quently met with on the declivities of hilly regions or in 

 the deep valleys and rocky glens which intersect and abound 

 in districts of this description. In England, though its 

 introduction may be traced to a distant period, few at- 

 tempts to cultivate it upon an extensive scale, or in great 

 masses like the Scotch Pine, appear to have been made, 

 its use having mostly been restricted to that of an orna- 

 mental, or expected ornamental, appendage to parks and 

 pleasure-ground scenery, as an evergreen. This effect, 

 however, it is but ill calculated to produce throughout the 

 greater portion of the champaign and southern parts of 

 England, where neither the soil nor climate suits its nature, 

 and where, to those who have seen its luxuriant growth 

 and rich green colour, when growing in localities suited 

 to its habit, so far from being ornamental, it invariably 

 presents a sickly aspect and unsightly appearance. It is, 

 therefore, a matter of surprise that it should still continue 

 to be a principal ingredient in all the pleasure-grounds, 

 whether large or small, in the vicinity of London, as well 

 as in Kent, Sussex, and other districts, to the exclusion 

 of other evergreens much more appropriate to the situation, 

 and where, from the nature of the soil and climate it can 

 never attain a healthy or imposing developement, a clayey 



