TREES OF VARIOUS FORMS. 



143 



undrained surface, presents, both externally and inter- 

 nally, a heavy, mean, uninviting appearance. But 

 part of the blame should fall on the want of judgment 

 often evinced in the first planting, and on the neglect 

 with which it is as often followed. In suitable situa- 

 tions, and with proper treatment, it attains a beauty 

 not inferior to that of any other inhabitant of the 

 forest. The Highland variety is superior to the com- 

 mon one, both in the quality of the timber and in its 

 outward appearance; it has a smoother bark, and, 

 throwing out its branches more nearly at right angles 

 to the stem, it assumes a more cylindrical and less 

 tufted form. 



The Pinaster is of a medium size and conical form, 

 with massive dark-green foliage. It is of rapid growth, 

 thriving best on sandy, or light loamy soils, and is well 

 adapted to the vicinity of the sea. The Weymouth 

 Pine, in this country, is of medium size, and, unless 

 when planted pretty closely, is apt to become a bushy 

 tree. "With its light-green foliage, it has a more lively 

 effect in a mass than most others of the fir tribe. P. 

 excels a is allied to the latter. It has a tapering form, 

 long, light, silvery leaves, loose and pendent branches, 

 and a smooth, whitish bark. It attains to a great 

 size on the Himalaya mountains, and promises to be 

 equally fine in this country. In this section, our lim- 

 its will permit us to mention further only P. Laricio, 

 or Corsican Pine, a large, conical tree, with dark foli- 

 age, and of rapid growth. Of its varieties, the black 

 Austrian pine is decidedly the best; it is a large, 

 hardy tree, with a broad, conical head, and, as it 

 grows quickly, it promises to supersede the Scotch fir 



