170 LAEIX, OK 



longer than the scales, particularly towards the base of the 

 cones. Seeds small, of an irregular oval form, with a broad 

 wing ; seed-leaves, from five to seven in number. Cones ripen 

 late in the autumn. 



A fine, deciduous, and quick-growing tree, in favourable 

 situations attaining from 80 to 100 feet in height, and from 

 three to four feet in diameter, with a conical head, and hori- 

 zontal, spreading branches, with the branchlets pendulous, par- 

 ticularly in old trees. 



The Common Larch is spread over Central Europe, and forms 

 forests in the upper regions of the Alps of France and 

 Switzerland, from east to west ; its proper region is at a height 

 of from 3000 to 6500 feet of elevation, but it sometimes occurs 

 as high as 7000 feet of elevation ; but then it is a dwarf bush 

 or scrubby plant, while it, on the other hand, descends as low 

 as 1500 feet, but is not found anywhere on the Apennines, 

 according to Professor Schouw, and is less common on the 

 northern than on the southern slope of the Alps. It is found 

 on the Carpathian Mountains, in Tyrol and Hungary, but does 

 not exist in the German plains, nor in the mountains of 

 Scandinavia, nor in the Pyrenees, and is equally wanting in 

 Greece, and in the Iberian peninsula. Those Larches foimd in 

 Russia, &c., are difierent species. 



The following are the most striking varieties of the Common 

 Larch. 



LaeiX EuEOPiEA PENDULA, Loudon, GodsaU's Weeping Larch. 

 Syn. Larix Europsea GodsaUii, Loudon^ 



A very distinct variety; on account of its very pendent 

 branches, said to be a subvariety of the Tyrolese Larch, picked 

 out of a seed-bed in Mr. GodsaU's Nursery, 



Labix Eueop-^la. eepens, Loudovi. 

 Another Variety^ differing from the Common Larch in having 

 wide-spreading, robust branches, and a less aspiring stemj with 

 all the lateral branches pendent. 



