SPRUCE FIBS. 7 



to 5 feet in diameter, and widely extended branches, spreading 

 regularly on aU sides, so as to form a pyramid ; timber light, 

 elastic, and not very resinous. It is known under the name of 

 ■pFtee Deal. 



The Spruce Fir is very commouj and forms forests on the 

 Alps, from east to west, and is principally found at a height 

 varjdng from 4000 to 6500 feet of elevation, but it sometimes 

 occurs as high as 7000 feet, where it becomes very dwarf; 

 while, on the other hand, it has been found as low as 1000 feet 

 at Tolmezzo in Venice, but nowhere on the whole chain of the 

 Apennines. It is also wanting in a natural state in the countries 

 surrounding the Mediterranean, even on the mountains ; but 

 is common in Scandinavia, especially to the east of the moun- 

 tains ; and in the German plains, also from the Vosges in 

 France, to the Carpathians, and on the Pyrenees. It is very 

 common, planted and otherwise, in Norway, Sweden, Lapland, 

 Denmark, the north of Germany, and Hussia; and, as in- 

 variably happens with a species subject to such a variety of 

 climates and soUs, it has many varieties or forms, of which the 

 following are the most striking : — 



Abies excelsa pygm^a, Loudon, the Dwarf Spruce. 

 Syn. Abies nana, Hort. 

 „ „ pumila, Hort. 

 „ „ minuta, Hort. 

 „ „ minima, Hort. 

 A very diminutive variety, only growing a foot high, but 

 spreading on the ground, and certainly one of the dwarfest of 

 all firs. 



Abies excelsa Clanbrasiliana, Loudon. Lord Clanbrasil's 

 Dwarf Spruce. 

 Syn. Abies ClanbrasUiana, Loudon. 

 A low, compact, round bush, from 3 to 4 feet high, with tbe 

 leaves less than half an inch in length, found in Ireland. 



