70 ABIES, OR SILVER FIRS 
Fifteen are smooth-surfaced in branchlet and twig, 
and may be, to pursue the metaphor, compared to 
thé unruffled surface of a mill pond, and in one or 
two instances, when described as wavy, likened to 
the little ripples we sometimes see making commotion 
in still waters which the winds of heaven. have 
agitated. 
Three of these Silver Firs, just to complicate 
attempts at finality of elucidation: and make con- 
fusion more confounded, change their .coats or rinds 
at different stages of life, from smooth to rough or 
from rough to smooth. Two of.this trio of per- 
versities show signs—more in accord with the laws 
of Nature—of a more roughened exterior as they get 
older, while one, as befits its name Religiosa, becomes 
more softened thereupon as it advances in life. 
We append list and illustrations in exemplification. 
of these different surface characteristics of branchlets 
among the Silver Firs. - 
TWIGS AND BRANCHLETS CORRUGATED AND FISSURED 
Group I Group III 
Pinsapo (slightly). Sachalinensis, 
Group II Group V 
Firma. Numidica (slightly corrugated). 
Homolepis (less corrugated 2nd 
and 3rd years), Group VI 
Brachyphylia (deeply). Lasiocarpa (more fissured 2nd 
Webbiana. year), 
TWIGS AND BRANCHLETS SMOOTH, OR UNDULATE 
AND SLIGHTLY WAVY 
Group I Amabilis, 
halonica, — Veitchii, 
Cephalonica Retort 
Group II : 
Bracteata, 7 Group IV 
Grandis, Nobilis. 
Lowiana. Magnifica. 
e iatacartag, Group V 
Balsamea. Cilicia. 
Group III Group VI 
Nordmanniana, Concolor, 
