Spruce (Fig. 260) resembles soft pine in appearance and qualities and is commonly put to the same uses. Being remarkably resonant it is preferred to all other woods for the sounding-boards of pianos, and the bodies of violins, guitars, and similar stringed instruments.

Fig. 260. Norway Spruce (Picea excelsa, Pine Family, Pinaceoe). 1, twig bearing staminate flowers. 2, twig bearing a pistillate flower. 3, ripe cone. 4 6, cone scales, bearing seeds. 7, seeds, with and without wing. 8, stamen, two views. 9, leaf, entire and cut across. 10, seedling, with seed shell still attached. 11, same, older. 12, a pineapple gall produced by the spruce aphis (Chermes abietis). (Willkomm ) Tree growing 45 m. tall; bark reddish brown; leaves dark green, glossy; flowers purple; fruit brown. Native home, Europe. Much planted.

Fig. 260.-Norway Spruce (Picea excelsa, Pine Family, Pinaceoe). 1, twig bearing staminate flowers. 2, twig bearing a pistillate flower. 3, ripe cone. 4-6, cone scales, bearing seeds. 7, seeds, with and without wing. 8, stamen, two views. 9, leaf, entire and cut across. 10, seedling, with seed-shell still attached. 11, same, older. 12, a "pineapple gall" produced by the spruce aphis (Chermes abietis). (Willkomm )- Tree growing 45 m. tall; bark reddish brown; leaves dark green, glossy; flowers purple; fruit brown. Native home, Europe. Much planted.