CONIFERS. 341 



the ends of the branchlets. Scales of tlie strobiles thin 

 and flat, not thickened at the apex, nor with a prickly point, 

 Seeds with a persistent wing. — Handsome trees or shrubs } 

 with evergreen, scattered, short, frequently Iranktd leaves. 



Sec. i. Cones long, erect, lateral. Hark smooth, •with blisters of balsam. — Leaves 

 fiat, becoming 2-ranlcd, silvery-whitened inulerneath, obtuse or notched at the apex. 



1. A. BALSAMEA, Marsh. Balsam Fir. Silver Fir. 



Lea ves narrowly linear; cones cylindrical! ltr;;c, violet-colored; bracts obovate, 

 serrulate, tipped with an abrupt slender point, slightly projecting. appresscd. 



Cold damp woods and swam pe ; Muney Creek, Lycoming Co. A beautiful ever- 

 green, much cultivated 'or ornament. The branches are nearly horizontal, gradu- 

 ally becoming shorter upwards, forming a regular pyramidal bead. Leaves % to 1 

 inch long, growing upon the sides and top of the bri&nches, of a bright green above 

 and silvery-white beneath. (Junes 3 to 4 inches long, 1 inch thick, the scales very 

 broad and rounded. 



2. A. Fr vsert, Pursh. Double Balsam Fir. Fraser's Fir. 



pes narrowly linear, often emarginate, glaucous beneath ; cones small, oblong 

 ovate; bracts oblong-cuneate, shor&pointed, the upper, part much projecting and 

 reflexed. (A. balsamifera, Michx.) 



Mountains, Lewis Lake, Pokona mountain, and Bear meadows. Centre Co. A 

 highly ornamental tree, much resembling the " Norway Fir " in foliage. Leaves 

 J<to % inch long, of a yellowish green color. Cones 1 to 2 inches long when ma- 

 tiir,', distinguished by the long-pointed, violet-colored, reflexed bracts, Sterile 

 ajnenls terminal; 



Si:.', ii. V'ucs hanging, terminal; sterile aments scattered. — LeaveB evergreen. 

 *■ Leaves 2-ranl^ed, fiat, xoldlcncd .underneath. 



3. A. Canadensis, Miehx. Hemlock Spruce. 



Leaves linear, flat, obtuse ; ccnes oval, of few scales, somewhat longer than the 



Hilly or rocky woods, and along mountain streams, common. A well known tree, 

 70 to SO feet Sigh, with a light spreading spray, and delicate foliage, bright above, 

 Silvery underneath. Cmcs % inchlong. The bark is extensively used iu tanning. 



** Leaves needk-shaped, 4 angular, equally distributed all around the branches. 



4. A. ALBA, Michx. White Spruce. Single Spruce. 



Leaves slender, spreading, of a glaucous or light bluish-green- hue; scales of the 

 oblong cones entire. 



Cold swamps and moist woods, rare ; Bear Meadows, Centre Co. A tree 40 to 60 

 feet high, slender, with light-colored bark, slender and often drooping brancbjeti, 

 •\'.i i pale somewhat spreading leaves, }/,> to % inch long. Cones small, 1 to !)/% 

 iuch long, pale-brown, 



5. A. NIGBA, Poir. Blade or Double Spruce. 



Leaves short, erect, rigid, very dark green: cones ovate with iLe scales wavy and 

 toothed at the apex. 



Swamps or mountain woods. A tree 40 to TO feet high, with a straight trunk, 

 and lofty pyramidal head. The leaves thickly cover the branches, about J4 inoh 

 loag. % Cjnes 1 to 2 inches long, reddish-brown. 



3. LARIX, Tourn. Larch. 



The ancient name. 



Aments lateral and scattered; bud- like. Sterile flow- 

 N2* 



