114 . gilhn's foeest scenery. 



Botanically (according to tlie arrangement of modern 

 authorities) tlie Pines — or those trees amongst the order 

 of Conifers included under the genus Pimis — are dis- 

 tinguished from the Firs (comprised under the genus 

 Ahies) by the greater length of their needle-shaped leaves, 

 and by the grouping of the latter in sheaths enclosing 

 two, three, and sometimes five individuals. These sheaths 

 oncloso the groups of loaves at their bases only. In the 

 genus Abies tho leaves are solitary, sometimes growing 

 equally upon all sides of the twigs, and sometimes arranged 

 in rows on each side. Another feature distinguishing 

 Finns from Abies consists in the circumstance that, in the 

 former, the cones grow erect on the twigs, whilst, in the 

 latter, they are pendulous. The Scotch Fir, as it is popu- 

 larly called, is, in reality, a Pine, being the Finns sylvestris 

 of modern scientific nomenclature. — Ed. 



The Scotch Fir is supposed to be the only indi- 

 genous terebin thine tree in this island ; and yet, 

 though it abounds, and, when seen in perfection, 

 is a very picturesque tree, we have little idea 

 of its beauty. It is generally treated with great 

 contempt. It is a hardy plant, and therefore put 

 to every servile office. If you wish to screen your 

 house from the soiith-west wind, plant Scotch 

 Firs, and plant them close and thick. If you 

 want to shelter a nursery of young trees, plant 



