The Pines, Firs, Spruces, Junipers, and Cedars form a very interesting, distinct, and striking natural group. The name evergreen, by which they are commonly known, is liable to the exception that one of this genus found in our climate, the Larch, loses its leaves in winter. But it is so distinguishing a characteristic of the rest, that it is likely to be long retained. This family has claims to our particular attention, from the importance of its products in naval, and especially in civil and domestic architecture, in many of the other arts, and in this country, one of the most rapid growth, attain to a larger size, and rise to a loftier height than any other trees.

The White Pine may be selected as the American representative of the pyraidal trees, being the most important as well as the most striking in its appearance. It is a northern tree, not extending so far south as the region of the Cypress and Magnolia, and attaining perfection only in the northern part of the continent In the New England States it contributes more than other species to the beauty of our landscapes, where it is commonly seen in scattered groups, but not often as a solitary standard. We see it in journeys, projecting over eminences that are skirted by old roads, shading the traveller from the sun, and protecting him from the wind. We have sat under its fragrant shade, in our pedestrian tours, when weary with heat and exercise we sought its gift of coolness, and blessed it as one of the benign deities of the forest. We are familiar with it in all pleasant and solitary places, and in our afternoon rambles we have listened to the Green Warbler who selects it for his abode, and who has caught a melancholy tone from the winds that from immemorial time have turned to soft music its long sibilant leaves.

The white pine is a tree that harmonizes with all situations, rude or cultivated, level and abrupt. On the side of the mountain it adds grandeur to the declivity, and gives a look of sweeter tranquillity to the green pastoral meadow. It yields a darker frown to the projecting cliff, and a more awful uncertainty to the mountain-pass or the hollow ravine. Amid desolate scenery it spreads a cheerfulness that attracts nothing from its power over the imagination, while it relieves it of its terrors by presenting a green bulwark to defend us from the elements.

Nothing can be more cheerful in scenery than the occasional groups of pines which have come up spontaneously on the bald hills near our coast, elsewhere a dreary waste of rocks, stunted shrubbery, and prostrate juniper. In the forest the white pine constitutes the very sanctuary of Nature, its tall pillars extending into the clouds, and its broad canopy of foliage mixing with the vapor that descends in the storm.

Such are its picturesque aspects: but in a figurative light it may be regarded as a tree symbolical of benevolence. Under its outspread roof, thousands of otherwise unprotected animals, nesting in the bed of dry leaves which it has spread upon the ground, find shelter and repose. The squirrel subsists upon the kernels obtained from its cones; the rabbit browses upon the spicy foliage, which is prostrated in its conservatory shade; and the fawn reposes on its brown couch of leaves unmolested by the outer tempest. From its green arbors the quails may be roused in midwinter, when they resort thither to find the still sound berries of the Mitchella and the Wintergreen. Nature, indeed, seems to have de-signed this to protect the animal creation, both in summer and winter, and we are persuaded that she has not conferred upon them a more beneficent gift.

As an object of sight, the white pine is free from some of the defects of the Fir and Spruce, having none of their stiffness of foliage and inflexibility of spray that cause them to resemble artificial objects. It has the symmetry of the fir, joined with a flowing grace that assimilates it to the deciduous trees. With sufficient amplitude to conceal a look of primness that often arises from sympathy, we observe a certain negligent flowing of its leafy robes that adds to its dignity a grace which is apparent to all. It seems to wear its honors like one who feels no constraint under their burden; and when smitten by tempest, it bids no defiance to the gale, bending to its wrath, but securely resisting its power. The white pine, often called "Weymoth" pine, has sometimes fallen into disrepute with planters who have set it in poor soil, or where it was overshadowed by other trees. Give it sunlight, abundance of room to spread itself, and a deep moist loam, and it will win a good name from every body. No foreign pine surpasses it. The white pine is hardy, bears transplanting well, and is always green; it is too large for village door-yards; its appropriate place is at the outskirts.

It makes a noble park-tree, and no pleasure grounds of any extent should ! be without it.