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SPRUCE FIR. — PINUS ABIES. 



Natural order, Conifer &. A genus of the 

 Moncecia Monadelphia class. 



" High o'er the pines, that with their darkening shade 

 Surround yon craggy bank, the castle rears 

 Its crumbling turrets." Mickle. 



Pope. 



" Here waving groves a chequer'd scene display, 

 And part admit, and part exclude the day." 



The Norway spruce, abies, is the loftiest 

 of all the European trees, often attaining the 

 height of 150 feet, whilst in shape it forms 

 one of the most elegant pyramids of this 

 genus of plants ; and for the thickness of its 

 foliage, and the beauty of its vivid green, it 

 is so superior to the common Scotch fir, that 

 it is now much more frequently planted in 

 ornamental grounds than any other species of 

 pine, excepting the larch. 



The leaves of the spruce are set on the 

 branches, solitary, and without order, but on 

 all sides ; they are slightly keeled on both 

 sides, and shining on the upper surface. 

 Both the catkins and the cones when young 



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