II 
ABIES, OR SILVER FIRS 
(OF THE NATURAL ORDER OF CONIFER, or THE 
FAMILY PINACE, or THE TRIBE ABIETINE&, 
OF THE SUB-TRIBE SAPINE, AND GENUS 
ABIES) 
I remember, I remember, 
The fir trees tall and high, 
I used to think their slender spires 
Were close against the sky. 
Hoop. 
THE writer goes on to apologize for this illusion of 
his youth and describes it as'a “‘ childish ignorance.” 
We, on the contrary, should pronounce it a very 
sound sylvicultural observation that matured wisdom 
would faithfully endorse. 
How many tree lovers are there who have not, at 
one time or another of their life, been prevailed upon 
by some enthusiastic host, bursting with pardonable 
pride and parish patriotism, to make a joint expedition 
afoot for the purpose of viewing the giant wonder 
tree of the country-side, a mighty Fir, that has sur- 
passed all compeers; and who, perhaps, after a toil 
and moil of many mountainous miles, have not at 
last been regaled with the sight of an old. familiar 
friend, in the undisguised form of the Common 
Silver Fir. 
This tree, which is unquestionably. most divinely 
tall, the most divinely exalted type of its species with 
us, rejoices in a super-growth that so far outrivals 
66 
