ABIES OEIENTAIlSj A. POLITA. 



77 



many of its slender branohlets, which makes the outline peaked and 

 pointed. The colour of the foliage is not only distinct but also attrac- 

 tive ; when the buds first cast off their scaly protection, and burst into 

 growth in spring, they are bright yellow, the tender shoots as they 

 lengthen become a soft delicate green, forming a beautiful contrast to 

 the rich colouring of the mature foliage. A. orimtalis should have a 

 place in every cohesion of Conifers ; it is quite hardy, but of rather 

 slow growth in dry soils. 



The specific name, orimtalis, " eastern," was given by Tournefort in 

 reference to its habitat.* 



Fig. 9 —Foliage of Mies polita. K g. !«.— Cone of Abies polita. 



Abies polita, according to Dr. Siebold, is "a remarkable tree 



entirely of the habit of the common Spruce." As seen in its 



young state in this country it is one of the most distinct of Firs. 



Its habit is conical, with the outline much broken by projecting 



* The application of the word oriental™ in this instance is indefinite. By the law of 

 relativity it implies an occidmtalis, or western, a name that has not been given to any 

 of the Spruce Firs.. 



