THE PINE, OR FIR. 63 



line. A very large portion of the superficial 

 space of this our globe is thus enveloped. Of 

 these Pines, or Firs, therefore, unmixed with 

 other trees, there are far more extensive forests, 

 than of any kind of wood besides. The north 

 of Europe, of America, and of Asia, are man- 

 tled in this same black shroud, from the tem- 

 perate latitudes to the shining borders of the 

 polar seas, where dwarf birch, the last shrub 

 that lives, makes a sort of final edging to the 

 vegetation of the earth." 



When we consider," said Mr. Longhurst, 

 " that the wood of these pines is the most 

 combustible timber that grows ; the fullest of 

 juices, which feed the taper and the hearth ; 

 and when we consider farther, that these forests 

 extend beyond the very regions ' where life 

 itself goes out, ' the immediate agency and in- 

 fluence of Divine wisdom, power, and goodness. 



