61. 
THE SPRUCE FIR. 
Abtes excelsa. 
Fia. on Paar 542. 
ys PIGHER in growth when found on 
<4 its native mountains, than any of 
Ni Wee the species of Conifer described 
iy \ x in the preceding chapter, deriving 
*, =X from this habit the name of 
ay ‘The Lofty Fir,’ Abies excelsa is, 
f - _ nevertheless, not so highly esteemed for 
iS its timber as either Pinus sylvestris, or 
a Lariv Ewropea. The wood of the Spruce 
Fir is, however, light and elastic—white in colour, 
of a fine grain, and susceptible of a high polish. 
It is useful for picture-frames, on account of the 
readiness with which it can be gilded. But, com- 
monly, it is used for making ladders, the masts of 
