ON WOOD AND PLANTATIONS. 
107 
most of the pines, the cedar, and, among deciduous trees, the 
larch, belong to this division. Their hue is generally much 
darker than that of deciduous trees, and there is a strong 
similarity, or almost sameness, in the different kinds of trees 
which may properly be called spiry-topped. 
From their sameness of form and surface, this class of trees, 
when planted in large tracts or masses, gives much*less"plea~ 
sure than round-headed trees ; and the eye is soon wearied 
with the monotony of appearance presented by long rows, 
groups, or masses, of the same form, outline, and appear- 
ance ; to say nothing of the effect of the uniform dark colour, 
unrelieved by the warmer tints of deciduous trees. Any 
one can bear testimony to this, who has travelled through a 
pine, hemlock, or fir forest, where he could not fail to be 
struck with its gloom, tediousness, and monotony, especially 
when contrasted with the variety and beauty in a natural 
wood of deciduous, round-headed trees. 
Although spiry-topped trees, in large masses, cannot be 
generally admired for ornamental plantations, yet they have 
a character of their own, which is very striking and peculiar, 
and, we may add, in a high degree valuable to the Land- 
scape Gardener, Their general expression, when single or 
scattered, is extremely spirited, wild and picturesque ; and 
when judiciously introduced into artificial scenery, they pro- 
duce the most charming and unique effects. a The situa- 
tions where they have most effect, is among rocks, and in 
very irregular surfaces ; and especially on the steep sides 
of high mountains, where their forms and the direction of 
their growth, seem to harmonize with the pointed rocky sum- 
mits.” Fir and pine forests are extremely dull and monoto- 
nous in sandy plains, and smooth surfaces, (as in the pine 
barrens of the southern states) ; but among the broken rocks, 
