BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
187 
and for the manufacture of butter firkins, for which latter purpose it is preferred to 
any other timber, in consequence of its communicating no unpleasant taint to but- 
ter. 
Ahies canadensis (Hemlock Spruce). — A large tree growing abundantly 
throughout a great part of Canada, congregating densely on dry sandy soils little 
adapted for cultivation. The timber is coarse, and not much used for economical 
purposes, except for the walls of farm houses and barns. A moderate quantity is 
yearly cut up into lathwood, and taken to Quebec for exportation, to meet the li- 
mited demand which exists for this article of commerce. The bark abounds in tan- 
nin, and is exclusively used in Lower Canada by the tanner, being a good substi- 
tute for oak bark. This is a beautiful and picturesque tree, where it has free room 
to display its light spray and dark-green foliage, becoming varied in shape, and pre- 
senting large masses of light and shade. It is well worthy of a place in ornainental 
grounds. 
Ahies alba (White Spruce). — A straight pyramidal tree, attaining the height 
of about 50 feet : growing everywhere in dry grounds in the company of the 
black spruce, but in smaller numbers. The timber is light, on which account it is 
used in common with the next species for the small spars of shipping ; it is also 
sawed into planks for exportation, being of a colour and texture resembling the 
white deal of Norway. The leaves are of a bright green, and are longer than those 
of the black spruce ; the cones also are of a different shape. These marks serve to 
distinguish the two trees, which have a great general resemblance. It is a beauti- 
ful object on the lawn, with its graceful branches regularly feathered down to the 
ground. 
Ahies nigra (Black Spruce). — This is a somewhat taller and stoughter tree than 
the last-described species, on which account it is more useful as a deal-producing 
timber, the quality being very similar. It is widely diffused throughout the coun- 
try, grows on dry and rocky soils, and is generally found along with the white 
spruce, though in some localities inhabited by this species, the other is absent. — 
This is the tree from whose branches the well-known spruce beer is manufactured, 
a wholesome and pleasant beverage in warm weather. 
Larix americana (American Larch, Tamarac^. — The leaves of our larch are in 
bundles of many, and are deciduous, like its congener of the Old World. It de- 
lights in rich moist lands, where it attains the height of sixty feet and upwards, 
with a proportionately stout stem, straight and taper ; it is found scattered through- 
out the province, growing in such abundance, in favourable soil, as almost to exclude 
other trees. It is also often seen in sandy soils, in which the moisture is retained 
by what are called " hardpans" underlying them, and preventing the escape of 
water ; in such situations it grows thickly together, but attains no size, and dies oflf 
prematurely. This tree furnishes timber of superior quality, strong, heavy, and 
