DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



239 



northern parts of the Union, and the Canadas. The leaves 

 are collected in little bunches, and the branches shoot out 

 from the main stem in a horizontal, or, more generally 

 in a declining position. 



[Pig. 86. The Euiopoan Larch.J 



For picturesque beauty, the Larch is almost unrivalled. 

 Unlike most other trees which must grow old, uncouth, and 

 misshapen before they can attain that expression, this . is 

 singularly so, as soon almost as it begins to assume the 

 stature of a tree. It can never be called a beautiful tree, 

 so far as beauty consists in smooth outlines, a finely rounded 

 head, or gracefully drooping branches. But it has what is 

 perhaps more valuable, as being more rare, — the expression 

 of boldness ^nd picturesqueness peculiar to itself, and 



