=C.= Leaves blunt or notched at tip. (=D.=) =D.= Two-ranked 4. =D.= Not 2-ranked 3. * Cones 1 to 3½ in. long. (=E.=) =E.= Leaves an inch or more long 5, 6. =E.= Leaves less than an inch long 1, 2. [Illustration: A. balsàmea.] 1. =Àbies balsàmea=, Mill. (COMMON BALSAM-FIR.) Leaves narrow, linear, ½ to ¾ in. long, and much crowded, silvery beneath; those on the horizontal branches spreading into 2 ranks. Bark yielding Canada balsam from blisters. Cones erect, on spreading branches, 2 to 4 in. long and 1 in. thick, cylindric, violet-colored, with mucronate-pointed bracts extending beyond the scales and not reflexed. Wild in cold, wet grounds; 20 to 45 ft. high, with numerous horizontal branches. Has been cultivated quite extensively, although there are better Firs for ornamental purposes. [Illustration: A. Fràseri.] 2. =Àbies Fràseri=, Lindl. (FRASER'S OR SOUTHERN BALSAM-FIR.) Leaves ½ to ¾ in. long, somewhat 2-ranked, linear, flattened, obtuse, emarginate, whitish beneath, the lower ones curved and the upper ones erect. Cones oblong, 1 to 2 in. long, with sharp-pointed bracts half exserted and reflexed. A rare, small tree, 30 to 40 ft. high, growing wild in the mountains, from Virginia south. A hardy tree and handsome when young. [Illustration: A. Nordmanniàna.] 3. =Àbies Nordmanniàna=, Link. (NORDMANN'S SILVER FIR.) Leaves very numerous, crowded, broad, linear, blunt or erose-dentate at the ends, somewhat curved, of unequal length, 1 in. or less long, deep green above and whitened beneath. Cones large, 5 in. long, ovate, erect, with very obtuse scales; bracts exserted and recurved. A beautiful large tree, 50 to 80 ft. high, occasionally cultivated; with numerous horizontal branches and smooth bark. [Illustration: A. fírma.] 4. =Àbies fírma=, S. and Z. (JAPAN SILVER FIR.) Leaves ¾ to 1 in. long, very closely 2-ranked, slightly twisted, linear, somewhat notched at the end, smooth and dark above, somewhat silvery below. Cones 3 to 4½ in. long, 1 to 1½ in. in diameter, straight, cylindric, with broad, downy, leathery, crenulated scales; bracts exserted, with acute, slightly recurved points. A beautiful tall tree with somewhat the habit of the common Silver Fir; recently introduced from Japan, and hardy as far north as central New York. [Illustration: A. grándis.] 5. =Àbies grándis=, Lindl. (GREAT SILVER FIR.) Leaves 1 to 1½ in. long, mostly curved, deep green above and silvery below, not 2-ranked. Cones 3 in. long and about 2 in. broad, obtuse, solitary, chestnut-brown in color. A very large (200 to 300 ft. high), handsome tree from the Pacific coast. Hardy at Washington; needs protection north. [Illustration: A. Píchta.]