70 A MANUAL OF THE CONIFERS. 



the uppermost whorls are slightly inclined upwards. The aspect 

 of the tree is somewhat sombre on account of its dense foliage, 

 which is lighter or darker in colour according to the soil and 

 situation in which the tree is growing. The height of the tree 

 is also influenced by similar conditions; and varies from 75 up to 

 as high as 125 feet, and even more before the period of decay 

 sets in. 



Habitat. — Europe, from the limits of arborescent vegetation in 

 the north at about latitude 68° to as far south as the Alps and 

 Pyrenees. With the exception of the last-named mountains, on 

 which it is not very abundant, it is not known to be native 

 south of latitude 45°, and it is not indigenous to Denmark, Holland, 

 Britain, and Ireland. 



Introduced into England at a very early period. It is men- 

 tioned in Turner's Names of Serbs, published in 1548. 



The varieties of the Common Spruce are very numerous, some of 

 them showing remarkable deviations from the usual type in their 

 manner of growth. The following are among the most distinct : — 



Abies excelsa Olanbrasiliana — A low compact round bush, 

 seldom seen higher than 3 or 4 feet. The original plant is said 

 to have been found on the estate of Lord Clanbrasil, at Moira, near 

 Belfast. 



Abies excelsa elegans. — A dense shrub of neat habit, growing 

 from 5 to 7 feet high. The branches are very short, and the 

 leaves more erect than in the common form. 



Abies excelsa Finedonensis shows an unusual change of colour 

 in the young shoots, which, when first formed, are pale yellow, 

 gradually changing to brown, and finally assuming the normal 

 colour of the species. 



It originated at Finedon Hall, Northamptonshire. 



Abies excelsa Gregoryana is one of the dwarfest of the varieties 

 of " the common Spruce. It has small spreading branches clothed 

 with short stiff leaves placed obliquely round the shoots. 

 It originated in the Cirencester Nurseries. 



Abies excelsa inverta is a pendulous form in which the branches 



