CONICAL OR PYRAMIDAL TREES. 



105 



produced by a light wind playing airily among the 

 larger leaves of the decidnous species. Besides, the 

 pyramidal trees unite at what may be called the 

 shoulders of the tree, and so, above that line, which is 

 often pretty weR defined, they leave a multitude of little 

 cones or pyramids, which, when seen in profile, have a 

 serrated outline, and exert a monotonous and at the 

 same time irritating influence on the eye. For our part, 

 we know nothing more wearisome than those long, dark, 

 stunted, middle-aged plantations of Scotch fir, or of 

 mingled larch and spruce, which are sometimes to be 

 met in flat, clayey, agricultural districts. Such masses 

 of wood in ornamental grounds would be hideous. 



The native homes of the fir tribe are chiefly among 

 the hills. There they not only grow more luxuriantly, 

 but their forms adapt themselves better to the natural 

 lines of the ground. On the slopes of a hilly and 

 mountainous country fir-woods have a more varied and 

 cheerful appearance, and they are seen less in profile; 

 or if they are so seen, it is against the higher grounds, 

 while the more elevated ridges form the sky-line of the 

 landscape. In such cases the serrated outlines are not 

 so harsh as they are on level grounds. When planted 

 in passes, or on other steep surfaces, the trees are seen 

 to great advantage, towering up one above another, and 

 exhibiting a greater variety of lights and shades than on 

 more level ground, particularly when pervaded by the 

 rays of the winter or vernal sun. Even in the lower 

 country the fir tribe succeed well in ravines and on 

 shelving banks, where the soil is light and the natural 

 drainage effective. Occasionally, beautiful Scotch firs, 

 spruces, and larches may be seen in favourable situations 

 a little above the level of the sea. 



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