THE planter's GUIDE. 



351 



When Caesar, who is extremely accurate as to facts, said 

 that there were no Fir trees in Britain, it is plain that 

 he meant the Spruce, from the word [Abies) made use of 

 bv him on that occasion, as has been noticed aboye/'^ 

 That the Scotch Fir abounded here prior to the Roman 

 conquest we have the most indubitable proof, in the fact 

 of the tree being found of gTcat size tinder the extensive 

 roads throughout the island, which were constructed by 

 that extraordinary people. This tree is hkewise common 

 to almost every country of Eui^ope, and even to several 

 parts of the torrid zone.f 



The Scotch Fir being, of all the Pine family, the 

 most valuable for timber, is on that account the most 

 worthy of being cultivated. It has the three following 

 varieties, which it is peculiarly important to chstinguish. 



First ; the common Fir, usually planted in Britain, 

 and well known by the branches forming a pyramidical 

 head. This affords altogetlier an inferior sort of timber. 



Secondly ; the spreading or horizontal Fir ; so called 

 from the circumstance of the branches coming out much 

 more horizontally from the stem, then bending down- 

 wards and forming a spreading top. This kind appears 

 to be that hardy and free gTOwing tree, of which the 

 extensive forests that once covered the country were 

 composed, and are still to be seen in the Highlands of 

 Scotland. The wood of this tree is of the most valuable 

 description. 



Thirdly ; the pyramidical Fir, with light coloiu'ed 

 serrulated leaves, by which it is chiefly to be distinguished 

 from the sort first mentioned. The wood of this kind is 

 likewise very excellent. — There is also a fom^th variety, 

 but it appears to be of little value.| 



^ See Kote X. Sect. IV. antea. f Note XIV. t Note XV. 



