PICE.E, THE SPRUCE PIES. 



63 



decurrent cushion at their base,* and sharply pointed at the 

 apex, scattered over the stems, or spirally arranged around 

 them. 



They are further distinguished from the Silver Firs — 



By their cones, which have a more or less elongated ovoid 

 form, and are pendulous with their scales, persistent on the 

 axis after the seed is shed. 



Inhabiting generally the northern portion of the temperate zone, 

 the Spruce Firs are among the hardiest, as they are in some 

 respects among the most useful of trees. Less striking in appear- 

 ance than many of the Silver Firs, and, therefore, generally held 

 in less esteem as ornamental trees, they are of far greater economic 

 value, both on account of the quality of their timber and for the 

 many purposes of utility for which some of the species are planted. 

 The common Spruce of Europe (A. excelsa) and the Black Spruce 

 of America (A. nigra), are the most important timber trees known 

 in their respective regions. From the former is obtained annually 

 an enormous supply of white deal used in this country and 

 in other parts of Europe; and from the abundance and cheap- 

 ness of the timber afforded by the latter, it is more used by the 

 colonists .of British North America and the adjoining districts of 

 the United States than that of any other Coniferous tree. 



The following Table includes all the Spruce Firs at present 

 known. 



* Technically called the pulvinus. It is the pulvini with the remains of the short foot- 

 stalks of the leaves, that give the bark of the branches of Fir trees its rough surface when 

 the leaves are shed. 



