i*- THE WOODLAND COMPANION: OR A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP BRITISH TREES. WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR USES. ILLUSTRATED BY PLATES. COMPILED BY THE AUTHOR OF EVENINGS AT HOME. Welcome, ye (hades ! ye bowery thickets, hail 1. ' , Ye lofry pines ! ye venerable oaks ! Ye afties wild, refoanding o'er the fteep ! LONDON: '^igj PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, ST. PAUJ/S CHUHCH-YARD, BY TAYLOR AND WILKS, CH ANCE,Y-L ANF. 1802. ADVERTISEMENT. I HE confined knowledge which young per- fons, and even thofe of advanced age, are lifually found to ppflefs of the nobleft pio- Jm, PL 4. - 14 Ash, PL 5. - - 18 Maple, PL 6. - - - - 22 Sycamore, PL 7. - ' - - 24 Lime, PL 8. - - - - 27 Horse Chesnut, PL 9. - 30 Hornbeam, PL 10. - - - 33 Hazel, P/. 11. - - 35 Walnut, PL 12. - - 38 Wild Cherry, P/. 13. - - 41 White-Beam, PL 14. - 43 Wild Service, P/. 15. - 45 Hawthorn, - - - 46 Quicken Tree, PL \6. - 48 White Poplar, PL 17. - - 5O Black Poplar, - - . - - 52 Asp or Aspen-Tree, - - - 54 Oriental Plane, PL 18. - 56 Occidental or Virginia Plane, - 5/ Birch, PL 19. - - 59 Alder, PL 20. - - -. 62 White Willow, - 64 Crack Willow, PL 21. - - 66 Weeping Willow, - - 67 Sallow, . - 69 Ozier, - - - 71 Scotch Fir, PL 22. - - 73 Spruce Fir, PL 23. - - - 73 Silver Fir, PL 24. - - 79 Weymoulh Pine, PL 25. - - - St Larch, PL 26. .. 83 Yew, PL 27. - - . . 85 Holly, P/.28. - - - 88 THE WOODLAND COMPANION. THE OAK. QUERCUS ROBUR. PL i, * Fruftifcation. Barren flowers in a loofe catkin, each confifting of a bundle of chives, from 5 to 10 in the fame cup* Fertile flowers in a bud on the fame tree, each having an oval feed-bud, which becomes an acorn. Specific clarafter. Leaves deciduous, ob- long, broaden: towards the end, with fliarp indentations and rather blunt angles. THE oak ftands at the head of Britifh tim- ber-trees, as well on account of its utility, as * In this, and all the future inftances, thefruflifoa- tlon it dcfcriptire of tttfe genus, or family, of the tree B treated 2 THE OAK. as of the grandeur and majefly ofits figure. It arrives at a bulk equal, if not fuperior, to that of any other tree of the foreft ; and by the vaft arms which it throws out on every fide, it forms a mafs which fills the eye of the fpeclator, and imprefles him with gigantic ideas. Its rugged bark and jagged deep-green leaves add to its character of ruftic and mafculine ftrength. The oak moft delights in a rich ftrong foil, in which it ftrikes its roots to a vaft depth. It loves hilly rather than boggy ground, and thrives belt in large planta- tions. It is injured by cropping ; whence may be eftimatcd the mifchief annually done to this noble tree by the cuftom of cutting large branches for the celebration of the 2 pth of May. It forms the largeft head, and fpreads in the moft pic~turefque figure, when growing fingly, as in parks and orna- mental grounds ; but it rifes with a tall and ftraight treated of, according to the Linnaean fyflem ; cific character relates to the particular fpecies or kind which is the fubjecl of the article. THE OAK. 3 ftraight trunk only in woods and clofe plan- tations. The ufes of the oak tree are very various, and comprehend almoft every part of it. The acorns (which, in common with the nuts of other timber-trees, bear the name of maft) are faicl to have been one of the earlieft foods of mankind ; and in fome of the warm climates they are ftill in life for that purpofe. With us they are valued as the food of fwine, of which large droves are fent to fatten in the oak woods in this king- dom during fome weeks in autumn, when the ripe acorns begin to fall. Squirrels and other fmall quadrupeds alfo partake of the repair, and lay up acorns for their winter ftore. Every part of the oak abounds in an aftringent juice, which is applied to various purpofes. The bark is particularly valuable on this account, which renders it the chief material for tanning leather. Oaks growing in hedge-rows, which feldom arrive to the fize of timber- trees, owe great part of their B a value 4 THE OAK value to their bark. Before it is ufed, it f3 ground to powder; and the infufion of it in water is by the tanners termed ooze. The fmall twigs, and even the leaves of the oak may be applied to a fimilar purpofe. Galls, which are an excrefcence formed in the warm countries upon the leaves of a fpecies of oak, by means of an infeft, are fome of the ftrongeft aflrrngents known, and are much ufed in dyeing, on account of their property of ftriking a deep black, with the addition of vitriol of iron. The oak- apples, formed in the fame manner upon our trees, poflefs a fimilar property, in a fmaller degree. Oak faw-duft is the prin- cipal material ufed in dyeing fuftians. It gives all the varieties of drab-colours and fhades of brown, accordingly as it is ma- naged and compounded. But it is by the ufe of its wood that the oak has acquired its chief fame, and efpe- cially for the important purpofe of (hip. building. This has made it fo peculiarly the favourite of England, to whofe naval glory it is fuppofed materially to have con- tributed. THE OAK. tributed. Thus Pope, in his Windfor- Foreft, fpeaking of vegetable treafures, fays, Let India boaft her plants, nor envy we The weeping amber and the balmy tree, While by our oaks the precious loads are borne, And realms commanded which thofe trees adorn* Oak-timber is fitted for this purpofe, by its ftrength and durability, and alfo by the property of not readily fplintering, a cir- cumflance of much confequence fince the invention of cannon. Ships of war, there- fore, if not entirely built of oak (which from the prefent fcarcity of that timber is feldom done) have always their fides planked with it. The crooked pieces of this wood pro- cured from the bend of the branches are alfo ufed for the knees, by which the planks are held out and fupported. Oak-timber is likewife preferred for many other fervices of ftrength. In houfe- building it is ufed for door and window frames, and for wall- plates. When more plentiful, floors and Hair-cafes were alfo made of it. In ma- chinery, no other wood is equal to it where B 3 a great 6 THE OAK. a great ftrefs is to be borne, as in mill-work, fleam engines, and the like. It is ufed for the bodies of carts and waggons, alfo for gates, ports, and ladders. In the country it is a common material for furniture, fuch as tables, bedfteads, and chefts of drawers j its durability being thought a compenfation for the difficulty of working it. The coopers employ it for their largeft veffels, and for well-buckets and water- pails. The oak may be termed not lefs the poet's tree, than the artifan's. Some of the firft poets, antient and modern, have chofen it as an object either of direct defcription, or of fimile; and that, not only in its flou- rifhingflate, but in its decay. Thus Lu can, in fome very fine lines, has made an aged oak the comparifon of Pompey the Great, at the time of his conteft for power with Caefar, when, being little more than the fhadow of his former fame, he ftill excited awe by the remains of declining grandeur. Our Spenfer has given an original picture of the lame kind in the fable of the Oak and THE OAK. 7 and the Briar, in his Shepherd's Calendar, which, as being of true Englifh growth, I (hall copy. There grew an aged tree on the green, A goodly oak fometime had it been, With arms full ftrong and largely difplay'd, But of their leaves they were difarray'd : The body big and mightily pight, Throughly rooted, and of wondrous height} Whylom had been the king of the field, And mochel maft to the hufband did yield, And with his nuts larded many fwine ; But now the gray mofs marred his rine, His bared boughs were beaten with ftorms, His top was bald and wafted with worms, His honour decay 'd, his branches fere. February. A more exact vifible reprefentation of the fame object cannot be given, than by the figure of the old oak of Cowthorpe, Yorkfliire, which meafures fixteen yards in circumference within three feet of the ground, in Dr. Hunter's edition of Evelyn's Sylva. B 4 THE THE BEECH. FAGUS SYLVATICA. PL 1. Fructification. Barren flowers in a kind of catkin, each confining of about 12 chives in a cup. Fertile flowers on the fame tree, in a bud, changing into a hairy capfule with four valves and two feeds. Specif c charafter. Leaves oval, indiftinclly ferrated. Bark fmooth, white. THE beech is one of the moft ftately tim- ber trees, and compofes large woods in fome parts of this country. It particularly delights in a chalky foil, where it will flou- rifh and arrive at a great fize, though the land has all the appearance of barrennefs. When (landing fingly or at large diftances from other trees, it fpreads in a round form to a wide extent, and forms a deep mafs of (hade; THE BEECH. 9 fliade ; but when drawn up in clofe planta- tions, it rifes to a great height with fingular elegance and airinefs. Its leaves arc of a pleafant green, and many of them remain on the trees during winter, after turning brown. No verdure, however, will thrive beneath its (hade. The fmoothnefs of its bark has from antient times tempted the rural lover to carve the favourite name upon it; a cuftom recorded in various paflnges of the poets ; and the opening of Virgil's firft Eclogue reprefents the mufing thcpherd as reclining under the (hade of a fpreadtng beech. *This is one of the glandiferous or mail- bearing trees. Its nuts, when eaten raw, are apt to occafion giddinefs and head-ache, but, when thoroughly dried and powdered, are laid to make wholefomc bread. They are, however, chiefly the food of deer and fwine, and of Iquirrels, dormice, and other fmall quadrupeds, Which are numerous in the beechen woods. An oil exprefTed from them is ufed in fome countries in place of butter. The IO THE EEECH. The wood of the beech is brittle, and apt to decay ; but, being eafily wrought, it is much ufed for various domeftic purpofcs. The poets, who celebrate the fimplicity and frugality of the early ages, fpeak much of the beechcn cups and bowls, fome of which received an extraordinary value from the hand of the carver. In our days, beech is a common material of the turner and cabi- net-maker ; the former ufing it for his larger ware; and the latter, for common chairs and other articles of furniture. It is, indeed, almoft the only Englifh wood employed by the London cabinet-makers. Its lightnefs caufes it to be chofen for the handles of tools; and it is fplit into thin fcales for band-boxes, fword-fcabbards, and the like. It is a common wood forfewel, and, in fome counties, is regularly grown in plantations for that purpofe. The dried leaves of the beech make a very good Huffing for mat- treffes. THE THE CHESNUT. FAGUS CASTANEA. PL 3. FruSif cation. As the beech. Specific clarafter. Leaves fpear-fhaped, with (harp ferratures ; naked under- neath. THIS tree is ufually called the Spani/b Che/nut, as growing in the greateft per- fection in Spain and others of the warm countries in Europe. Many, however, think it an original native of this iflarid ; at leaft it arrives to the full bulk of a timber-tree in our woods and groves. The appearance of an aged chefnut is ftriking and majeftic. It throws out arms equal in fize to thofe of the oak, and they often fpring in an angular manner, and thwart each other, fo as to produce an uncommon effecl. The deep furrows of the rugged trunk 12 THE CHESNUT. trunk fometimes form a kind of net-work by interlacing. The branches are richly clothed with long jagged leaves, of a plea- fant green, and the head is mafly and fpreading. In autumn the leaves fade to a gold yellow, affording a very confpicuous variety of tinge in the woods. Few trees arrive at greater longevity. A chefnut at Tort worth, in Gloucefterfhire, is proved to have flood ever fince the year 1 150, and to have been then remarkable for its age and fize. The chefnut tree thrives in almoil all foils and fituations, though it fucceeds beft in rich loamy land. Nothing will grow beneath its fhade. Among the maft-bearing trees this may be reckoned the moil valuable, fince its nuts, by their fweet and farinaceous qua- lity, are rendered good food for man, as well as for other animals. The chefnuts cultivated for their fruit are ufually grafted ones, called by the French marronier \ and in many parts of the fouth of Europe they afford great part of the fuftenance of the poor ; who make bread of their flour. They are THE CHESNUT. 13 are alfo eaten as a delicacy at the bell tables, either roafted or flevved. In this country the fruit of the chefnut is fmall, and feldom comes to maturity ; it is there- fore left to the hogs and fquirrels. The wood of the chefnut is ftrong and durable, and is ufed for moft of the pur- pofes in which oak is employed,. Some of the oldeft buildings in London are faid to be timbered with chefnut. The trunks, however, are often found decayed at the heart when they appear found externally ; and the wood on working is apt to turn out brittle, and to fcparate in roundifh mafTes, which fault is termed being cnp-fljukey . It is preferable to any for making tubs and veflels to hold liquor, as not being liable to I fhrink after being once feafoned. The principal ufe of chefnnt wood among us is for hop-poles, of which it makes the \ ilraig{iteft, tallelt, and mod durable. Being / cut at an early age for this purpofe, it is rare to fee large chefnut trees in our woods; but they are frequent ornaments of our parks and pleafure-grounds. THE ( 14 ) THE ELM. ULMUS CAMPESTRIS. PL 4. Fructification. Flowers in clufters, each having about five chives, fucceeded by an oval bordered capfule, con' taining a {ingle roundifh flattened feed. Specific character. Leaves doubly ferrated, unequal at the bafe. Bark of the trunk cracked and wrinkled. THE common elm is a large timber- tree of great beauty and ufe. It grows to a great height, and at the fame time, if permitted, throws out expanded arms, fo as to cover a large extent with its (hade. Hence it is often planted fingly or a few to- gether in village greens, where it affords both a majeftic object, and a pleafant fum- mer fhelter. The elm is however often feen trained to a vaft height with a lingle naked THE ELM. 15 naked trunk, which mode of rearing de- ftroys its beauty, though it better fits it for a particular ufe. In this flate it is very common in hedge-rows, efpecially in the neighbourhood of London. Elms are not frequent in woods or forefts, but are gene- rally planted in avenues or in other artificial lituations. The diverlity in the form and lite of elms is agreeably Iketched by Cow- per, the poet, who, of all others, viewed natural objects with moft tafie and cor- reclnefs. He firft mentions them a? growing by the river's fide. There, faft rooted in his bank Stand, never overlooked, our favourite elms That fcreen the herdfman's folitary hut. Tajk, b. i. Then they are feen encircling a cot- tage upon a hill. 'Tis perch'd upon the green-hill top, but clofe Eaviron'd with a ring of branching elms That overhang the thatch. Ib. Next, they form a walk or avenue. The grove receives us next ; Between the upright (hafts of whofe tall elms We may difcern the threfher at his talk. Ib. He 1 6 THE ELM. He alfo notices its hue, as of a deeper green than the afh. The elm bed loves an open fituation and a black clayey Toil. It bears tranfplanta- tion well. It does not injure the grafs be- neath it ; and its leaves are agreeable to cattle, and in fome countries constitute a confiderable part of their food. The an- tients made great ufe of elms properly trimmed as props or fupports for their vines ; and the poets frequently allude to the marriage of thefe diffimilar plants, and the aid derived to the weak and fruitful vine by twining round the ftrong ft em of her hufband elm. The wood of the elm is hard and tough, and ufeful for a variety of purpofes. It is particularly ferviceable for occafions which require its being kept conftantly wet ; as in the keels and planking beneath the water-line of (hips, mill-wheels and water- works, and efpecially for water-pipes, the great demand for which is the caufe of its frequency about London, and of the prac- '4 ticc THE ELM. l^ tice of training it without branches to a tall ftraight trunk, which may admit of boring in long pieces. It is likewife ufed for axle trees, naves, gate-pods and rails, floors, dreflers, blocks, &c. and it is very fit for the carved and ornamental works be- longing to architecture. There are feveral varieties of the elm, differing in the roughnefs and fmoothnefs of their leaves, and manner of growth. A dwarf kind is employed for making tall hedges or fcreens in gardens or nurfery, grounds. A diftincl fpecies of elm, growing moftly in the North of England, and Scotland, is that called the Wych hazel (Ulmus mon- tana) from the refemblance of its leaves to thofe of the hazel. It is fmaller and more branchy than the common elm j its boughs are more depending, and its leaves and feeds much bigger. THE ( '8 ) THE ASH. FRAXINUS EXCELSIOR. PL 5. Fru&ification. Flowers with chives and pointals upon fome trees, with poin- tals only upon others. Two chives in each flower. Seed-bud oval, com- prefTed, changing into a long mem- branaceous feed-vefTel, containing a lingle feed. Specific claraEler. Leaves generally winged, confiftingof four or five pair of fmall ones, ferrated, with an odd one at the end. THE afh is a tall tree, having a light thin fo- liage, which gives it a graceful appearance, efpecially when contrafted with trees of greater mafs and depth of (hade. It flourifh- es moft in woods, but will alfo thrive well in good foils upon open ground. It runs its roots THE ASH. 19 roots a great way near the fur face ; which quality, together with the deftruclive pro- perty of its drippings, renders it injurious to herbage, and ftill more to corn. When growing near water it fometimes hangs down its boughs like the weeping willow. No tree is fo often met with in ruins and upon antient walls, probably on account of the readinefs with which its winged feeds are borne by the wind. It infinuates its roots far into the crevices of thcfe old buildings, and thereby becomes an invtru- ment of the deftruclion of what affords it fupport. In like manner it fattens upon loofe flaty rocks, and decorates them with its verdure. It is one of the latefl trees in coming into leaf, and lofes its leaves early in autumn. The bunches of long fkinny feeds, called keys, on the fer- tile trees, have a fingular appearance. It is obferved that while fome am- trees bear great quantities of keys yearly, others feem never to bear any. The former, however, are naked of leaves and unfightly ; whereas the latter abound in foliage ; and are pleafing objects. The bark is fmooth c 2 and 30- TH ASH* and light-coloured ; the leaves dark green. A well-grown afli is a handfome and elegant object, though all may not agree with the Roman poet in giving it the prize of beauty aBove all the natives of the foreft. There are few which excel it in utility ; for its wood, next to that of the oak, is employed for the greateft variety of purpofes. Thus our Spenfer, mentioning the particular ufes of a number of trees, eharafterifes the afli as for nothing ill. It may be peculiarly termed the Imjband- mans tree ; for it is one of the principal materials in making ploughs, harrows, waggons, carts, and various other imple- ments for ruftic ufe : hence a proportional number of afh-trees fhould be planted in every farm. The tough nefs of its wood rendered it a favourite with the heroes of old for the fhafts of their potent fpcars ; whence it is poetically termed " the mar- tial afli." With us it is much employed in poles for various purpofes, and alfo in fpokes THE 'ASH. 41 fpokes of wheels, tool-handles, and the like. Dairy utenfils are moftly made of am; Its loppings make good fuel, and it has the quality of burning when frefh as well as dry, and alfo.with little fnioke. Its afties afford good pot-afh. The bark of the am has an aftringent quality, and is ufed in tanning calf-ikin. Its leaves are eaten by cattle. cj THE THE MAPLE. ACER CAMPESTRE. PL 6. Fructification. Flowers, fertile and barren upon the fame tree : the chives in both, eight in number. In the fer- tile, the feed-bud changes into two ^apfules united at the bafe, and ter- minating above in large membranous wings, with a fingle feed in each. Specific charafter. Leaves lobed, blunt, notched. THE maple is a tree of no great figure, and with us chiefly grows in thickets and hedges as an underwood. It may, how- ever, be trained to a confiderable height. Its wood is foft and fine-grained, and is excellent for the turner's ufe, who can bring it to an almoft tranfparent thinnefs. It excels beech for the purpofe of making ups, dimes, and the like ; and is often 4 mentioned THE MAPLE. 23 mentioned by the poets as the material of thefe utenfils in ruftic and fimple life. The beautiful variegation of its knots, however, has given it value in ornamental works ; and the antient Romans, for their luxury of curioufly-veined tables, prized the maple next to their famous citron-wood. Mufical inflruments are alfo frequently made of maple. This tree grows very full of branches, which, from the opportunity they give of the lodgment of the rain water, is probably the caufe of that difpofition to internal decay of which Spenfer accufes it ; the maple, feldom inward found. Cowper defcribes it as glofly-leaved, and fhining in the fun. Its bark is furrowed and cork-like. . C 4 THE THE SYCAMORE. ACER PSEUDO-PLATANUS. PI- ? Fruftification. As the Maple. fyecifc character. Leaves with five lobes, unequally ferrated. Flowers in bunches. THIS fpecies grows to a larger iize, and is more fightly than the common maple. The name Sycamore, (Wild Fig,) is an improper one, and that of Greater or Broad-leaved Maple is more fuitable. The Latin ap- pellation PJeudo-Platanw (Falfe Plane) well exprefles its appearance. It is of quick growth, and flourifhes beft in open places and fandy ground. It is not uncommonly planted in ftreets, and before houfes, on account of its (hade. It has alfo the pro- perty of being lefs injured by the neigh- bourhood THE SYCAMORE. 2$ bourhood of the Tea, and the dafhing of the fait fpray, than almoft any other tree ; and hence is often fet in rope-walks in maritime towns. It comes early into flower, and ufually bears a vaft profufion of pendent light-green bunches or catkins, which make a handfome fhow. The flowers fmell ftrong of honey, and afford much pafture to the bees. The foliage of the fycamore foon lofes its fpring verdure, and changes its hue. Cowper calls it capricious in attire, Now green, now tawny, and, ere autumn yet Have changed the woods, in fcarlet honours bright. Its wood is foft and very white, and hence proper for the ufe of the turner, who makes from it bowls, trenchers, and other utenfils. From its lightness, it is alfo occalionally ufed for cart and plough timber. If the fycamore is tapped in the fpring, it affords a fweetifh watery liquor which may be ufed to fave malt in brewing, and will yield a fugar upon infpiflation. Mod of a6 THE SYCAMORE. of the fpecics of the maple, indeed, afford fvveet juices ; but none fo remarkably as the fugar-maple, which is a very common native tree in North America, and from which large quantities of coarfe fugar are made by the fet tiers in the inland parts. THE THE LIME. TlLIA EUROPJEA. PL 8. Fructification. Flowers with five petals and many ehives ; the feed-bud turn- ing to a dry berry, or capfule, having five cells with a fingle feed in each. Generally, only one feed comes to perfection, pufhing afide the reft. Specific clantfter. Flowers without a nec- tary, whitifh. Leaves heart-fhaped, fer- rated. A floral leaf to each bunch of blofloms. THE lime or linden is one of the beauties among trees, and is rather cultivated on that account than for its utility. It grows ftraight and taper, with a fmooth erecl trunk, and a fine fpreading head inclined to a conical form. Its leaf is Jarge, and its bark fmooth. In a good foil jt arrives at a great height and fize, and becomes 28 THE LIME. becomes a ftately object. But it is feldom viewed fingle, and its chief glory arifes from fociety. No tree is fb much em- ployed for avenues, r.nd for bordering flreets and roads. Some of the ftraight walks of antient limes, which modern tafte has hitherto fpared, are beautiful fpecimens of the pointed arch made by the interfection of branches, which has been fuppofed tobe imitated in the Gothic architecture of ca- thedrals. In viewing one of thefe noble works of nature difciplined by art, who will not exclaim with Cowper, Ye fallen avenues ! once more I mourn Your fate unmerited, once more rejoice That yet a remnant of your race furvives. How airy and how light the graceful arch, Yet awful as the confecrated roof Re-echoing pious anthems ! while beneath The chequered earth feems reftlefs asa flood Brufhed by the wind. T*Jk, b. I. The lime comes early into leaf, and its verdure is one of the firft harbingers of fpring beheld in great towns, where it often decorates the fquares and public walks. Its flowers are highly fragrant, and are very 5 attractive THE LIME. 29 attractive to the bees, which gather much honey from them. An infufion of them is faicl to make a pleafant tea. The fap of the tree contains fugar. Lime wood is foft and light, and therefore only fit for ufes requiring little ftrength. Jt is ufed by fhoemakers and leather-cutters to cut leather upon, as not being liable to turn the edge of their knives. The clofenefs of its grain, joined with foftnefs, and the pro- perty of not being readily attacked by the worm, has caufed it to be chofen by carvers for the rich ornamental work with which churches and palaces were formerly de- corated, Mr. Evelyn mentions it as the material employed by the celebrated artift Gibbon for his beautiful feftoons and other fculptures. It makes good charcoal for defigners. Its inner bark, foaked in water, yields a fibrous matter fit for ropes and fifhing-nets. The Ruffia mats, and the bark fhoes of the peafants, are made of this material. THE ( 3 ) THE HORSE CHESNUT. HlPPOCASTANUM. PL 0. Fructification. Flowers in a long fpike, each having five petals, feven chives, and one pointal : feed-bud changing into a fpinous capfule of three cells, with two feeds in each, fotne of which are abortive. Specific character. Leaves blunt - fpear- fhaped, ferrated, growing by fevens on one fialk, the middle one largeft. THIS tree, which is originally a native of the Eaft, has not very long been natu- ralized in England. Its introduction here has been folely owing to its beauty, in which, at the flowering feafon a it cer- tainly excels every other tree of its bulk that bears our climate. In early fpring it puts forth large buds, which burft into ver- dure THE HORSE CHESNUT. 3! dure among the firft greens that enliven the year ; and its ample palmated leaves have an appearance both uncommon and handfome. Not long after, it puts forth" its long upright fpikes of white and va- riegated flowers, generally in fuch number as to cover the whole tree, and give it the refemblance of one gigantic bouquet. No flowering fhrub is rendered more gay by its bloflbms than this tall tree ; hence it combines beauty with grandeur, in a degree fuperior to any other vegetable of thefe climates. The head is alfo fliapely and regular in its growth, and well adapted to the fymmetry required in walks and avenues. It has the defect of changing and lofing its leaves early in autumn, the natural confequence of its early fpring verdure. It is alfo accufed of not well refitting tempeftuous winds. The wood of the horfe chefnut is of little value ; it is, however, of fome ufe to the turner. Its fruit or nuts are of a farinaceous qua- lity, but fo bitter as to be unfit for human food. Deer are faid to be fond of them, and (beep will eat them ; and when boiled, they 32 THE HORSE CHESNUT. they have been ufed to fatten poultry. When left to decay they turn into a kind ofgelly, which has been employed Jike foap in wafhing linen. The bark has confider- able aftringency, and may be employed for tanning leather. THE ( 33 ) b*ti - o '~hrn yi|. ;: THE HORNBEAM. S'jyfJ^-l CARPINUS BETULTJS. P/. 10. Frufiifcation. Barren and fertile flowers in catkins upon the fame tree. The bar- ren, with from eight to fixteen chives in each : the fertile, with two feed- buds each, changing into nuts. Specific character. Leaves oval, pointed, fharply ferrated. Bark fmooth, white. THE hornbeam is not commonly found as a timber-tree, though it may be reared for this purpofe, and will grow to a great height, with a fine ftraight trunk. It thrives well upon a cold ftiff clay, on the fides of hills, bears lopping and tranfplant- ing, and is capable of refining the wind. It is, however, principally cultivated as a fhrub and underwood, and is excellent for forming tall hedges or fcreens in nurfery- 8 ground? 34 THE HORNBEAM. grounds or ornamental gardens. It is of quick growth, and has a glolTy verdure which is very pleafing to the eye. It keeps its leaves long, and even all the winter when fheltered. The wood of the horn- beam is very white, tough, and flrong. It is ufed for yoke?, handles for tools, and cogs for mill-wheels, and is much valued by the turner. The wood is verv inflammable, 'and will burn like a candle, for which pur- pofe it was antiently employed. The inner bark is much ufed in the North of Europe .for dyeing yellow. - ' . THE ( 35 ) -* THE HAZEL. CORYLUS AVELLANA* PL 11. FrucJification. Barren ^flowers in a long fcaly catkin, each flower of eight chives. Fertile flowers on the fame tree in buds, diftant, each flower with two fhafts, the feed-bud chan- ging to a nut. Specific cbarafter. Leaves oval, ferrated, wrinkled; props or ftipulae oval, blunt. THOUGH the hazel does not arrive at the bulk of a timber-tree, it is on feveral ac- counts worth notice among the natives of the foreft. Its male catkins, of a yellowifh green, are among the firft appearances in the year of vegetable expanfion, generally unfolding in the month of January. Its fruit-bearing buds make a beautiful fhow D 2 in 36 THE HAZEL. in March, when they barft, and difclofe the bright crirnfon of their fhafts. The hazel is met with native in almoft every part of this ifland, forming hedges or cop- pices, and thickening the approaches of woods. If fuffered to attain their full growth, they fhoot into poles of twenty feet in length ; but they are ufuaJly cut down fooner, in order to form walking- flicks, fifhing-rods, flakes, hurdles, and the like, or for burning into charcoal. Hazel-charcoal is preferred to any other by painters and engravers, for the freedom with which it draws, and the readinefs with which its marks can be rubbed out. The nuts of the hazel are a ge- nerally agreeable fruit. They abound in a mild oil, which may be extracted by' expreffion, and is nfed by painters for mixing with their colours. Nuts, how- ever, are difficult of digefiion, and, when eaten in large quantities, often prove hurtful. They ripen (ban after harveft; and -Thorn (on gives an animated picture of the amufement of gathering -them, ufually termed mating, Ye THE HAZEL. 37 Ye fwains, now haften to the hazel-bank, Where, down yon dale, the wildly-winding brook Falls hoarfe from fteep to fleep. In clofe array, Fit for the thickets and the tangling flirub, Ye virgins, come. For you their lateft fong The woodlands raife ; the cluttering nuts for you The lover finds amid the fecret ihade; And, where they burnim on the topmoft bough, With aclive vigour crufties down the tree, Or (hakes them ripe from the refigning hufk. Jlutumn. They are a favourite food of fquirrels, which lay them up in their winter hoards, and always take care to pick out the beft. It is a common obfervation, that a plentiful year for nuts is the fame for wheat. The filbert is a variety of the common nut, diftinguifhed by a longer fruit, and a thinner Ikin. It is cultivated in plantations in the Kentifh orchards, and yields a va- luable product. D3 THE THE WALNUT. JUGLANS REGIA. PL 12. Fruftijication. Barren flowers in an ob-_ long catkin, each flower having many chives. Fertile flowers upon the fame tree, growing by twos or threes, each fucceeded by a large round flefhy capfule containing one nut. Specific charafler. Leaves fmall, oval, fmooth, equal, fet in pairs, with an odd one at the end. THE walnut, though not a native of our woods, is in many parts planted fo freely, and fo well perfcdts its fruit and timber, that it may be confidered as fairly natu- ralized among us. It loves a rich loamy foil, but will grow well on ftony ground, if the ftaple be chalk : hence it is found to thrive on the chalky downs of Surrey, where THE WALNUT. 39 where large plantations of it have been made. 1 he tree arrives at a refpeclable iize, and makes a good figure either fet in rows or growing fingly, though it has the defect of getting its leaves very late,' and (bedding them early. As a timber-tree the walnut was for- merly in greater requeft than at prefenr, when its place is moftly fupplied by fo- reign woods. I has been much ufed by cabinet-makers for bedfteads, chairs, ta- bles, and bureaus, for which purpofes if is one of the moil durable woods of Fnglifh growth ; allo for wainfcots, and flocks for guns. 1 he wood near the root is often beautifully veined, and fit for inlaying and ornamental works. The black Virginia walnut, however, excels our own for thefe ufe?. It is for the fake of the fruit that the walnut is chiefly cultivated among us. This is one of the mott grateful of the nut kind, and forms a welcome addition to def- ferts at all tables as long as it continues frefh and moift. It contains much oil, which, like that of the common nut, may be fepa- D 4 rated 4O THE WALNUT. rated by exprelKon, and is ufed by painters and varnifherSj and, in fome countries, alfo for food, inftead of butter. TFhe unripe walnuts, with their green fleftiy coat upon them, are commouiy ufed as a pickle. A iyrup made with them io a vulgar medicine againft worms; and decoctions of the hufks and leaves, which are drongly bitter and aromatic, are foinetimes poured upon walks and grafs plots in order to kill the earth- worms and grubs. Thofe fingular vagrants, called Gipfies, itain their Ikins of a tawny hue with the juice of green walnut hulks. THE THE WILD CHERRY. cju'.-.r^ir. ; r,r.tinfiil Lnp. PRUNUS CERASUS. PL 13. _ . Fruftifcation. Flowers with five petals, from twenty to thirty chives, and one pointal : feed-bud changing to a pulpy fruit, containing one nut or flone. Specific character. Umbels of flowers on fhort foot-ftalks : leaves oval-pointed, ferrated, fmooth, often doubled to- gether. THOUGH the wild black cherry is not a common tree in our woods, yet it may claim the rank of a native, fince it is met with in feveral counties, of a large iize, and propagates itfelf. Young plants of it are often found within the hollow trunks of old willows, into which the (tones have 6 been 42 THE WILD CHERRY. been dropt by birds. Its appearance in fpring, when covered with white blofloms, is very beautiful : hence it makes a pleating ornament in parks and pleafure-grounds, and forms an agreeable variety among other tall trees, few of which make any (how with their flowers. It thrives well in light poor land, andparticularly loves a fandy foil and elevated fituation. The fruit, though fmall, is pleafant to the talle, and gives a fine flavour to fpirits. 1 he wood is hard and tough :' it is much valued for hoops of cafks ; and is alfo ufed by the turner and cabinet-maker, and is ftainect fo as to rcfemble mahogany. It makes ex- cellent Pocks for engrafting the garden cherries upon ; being, indeed, the original of all the cultivated forts. The gum which exudes from it is equal in its proper- ties to gum-arabic. THE ( 43 ) n tob -fT THE WHITE-BEAM. CRATJEGUS ARIA. PI. 14. Pruftif cation* Flowers with five petals, about twenty chives, and two pointals, fucceeded by a round berry contain^ ing two or four feeds. Specific char after. Leaves oval, unequally or doubly ferrated, woolly on the un- der-fide. THIS tree has a general whitenefs or mea- linefs in its appearance, which has given it its name. It grows to a moderate fize, and loves dry and open fituations. It is found on the chalky hills of Kent, Surrey, and Suflex, and alfo in the mountainous parts of Derby (hire, where it (hoots from 4 the 44 XHE WHITE-BEAM. the figures of the naked rocks. The fruit is eatable when mellowed by the frofts. The wood is tough, hard, and fmooth, and is fit for axles, wheels, walking-fticks, and tool-handles. THE 45 THE WILD SERVICE- or SORB. CRAT^EGUS TORMINALIS. PL 15. Fructification. As the former. Specific cbarafter. Leaves with feven an- gles, Ihe lowermoft lobes {landing wide. r;i7Bd >.b - : - Til is fpecies,, alfo called the Service, grows in various parts of England, chiefly upon ftrong foils. In Hertfordihire' large trees of it are met with. Its fruit ripens late in autumn, and is then brown ; and if kept till foft acquires an agreeable acid tafte, and is eaten ; though from the Latin trivial name of tormmalls, (griping,) jt^ay be concluded that it is not very fa- vourable to the bowels. Few of the native fruits of this climate can boaf! of a much fuperior quality. lftai; "" THE ( 4* I THE HAWTHORN. CRAT-EGUS OXYACANTHA. (MotfOGYNA of Withering) OF this well known fpecies, called alfb the White-thorn, it is urinecefiary to fay more by way of defcription, than that it is diftinguifhed from the reft by its trifid leaves, and by its flowers having but a Jingle pointal. Its fruit, the haw, is like that of the two former kinds, but fmaller. Although the hawthorn is rather a fhrub than a tree, it well deferves notice among our forefters. From the clofenefs of its growth, and its furniture of (harp thorns, it is univerfally preferred for making live fences or quick hedges ; and the pecifnar richnefs of the extend ve profpecls in Eng- land is much owing to the frequency of the enclosures made by this plant, which affords a de- THE^HAWTHORtf. 47 a delightful verdure. Its flowers, likewife by the name of May, decorate that month particularly w th a profufion of beauty united with fragrance. Its fcarlet' berries greatly contribute to enliven the winter. The 'hawthorn, planted fingly, acquires a refpeclable fize, and is a fine object in the flowering feafon. Its wood is tough and ftrong, and is fit for axle-trees and tool- handles. '-.,'?' THE ( 48 ) vfjno^b l {fcJy lo 3f the philofo- pher in his academic groves, as to the pleafure of the bacchanalian, who held his revels under its fhade, and with ap- propriate gratitude fed its roots with wine. In thofe countries it grows to be one of the tailed and moft fpreading of trees. With us it feldom arrives at a capital fize, though the fmoothnefs of its trunk, and fullnefs of its large leaves, render it a ftriking and confpicuous object. The occidental plane is a native of North Ameriga, and is the moft common here of the two. Both Ipe- cies delight in a moift fituation, and are quick growers. They greatly refemble each other, the difference being chiefly in the leaf, which in the oriental is palmated or fingered like the hand, in the occidental is divided into lobes. They have the pro- perty of annually throwing off their bark in fcales. THE ( 59 >' THE BIRCH. BE TULA ALBA. PL 19. 3fif;t eig&ttoc r,:|) trjibffi biff?' <^ IT: i jwlj Fruflification. Barren flowers in a fcaly catkin, each containing four chives. Fertile flowers, on the fame tree, in a fcaly catkin, each fucceeded by a fingle feed. Specific character. Leaves oval, tapering to a point, ferrated. Bark white. THIS is a tree of rather humble growth, but valuable for cloathing foils which are deferted by almoft all other trees. Thefe arc the bogs and mofles, frequent in fome parts of this kingdom, and ftill more in fome countries of the North, as Sweden, Norway, and Lapland. The watery parts of forcfts which fcarcely produce any grafs, are often covered with a thick growth of thefe 6o . THE BIRCH. thefe trees ; and they will likewife afcend the mountains, and mingle with the fir and mountain-afti. A tourift in Wales fpeaks with much admiration of the light, airy, pen- dent birch, which occupies the higheft parts of the hills, and flickers the cottages that dimly appear through its foliage. Its white bark contrafts with the black furface of the perft-mofles, and enlivens fcenes otherwife the mod gloomy and defolate in nature. The leaves are fmall and elegant ; the boughs finely divided into flender twigs. They are fubjecl: to a kind of difeafe, occa- fioning the branches to throw out a vaft number of fuckers, in one part, which in- termix fo as to form a clofe refemblance of a rook's neft. The wood of the birch is of little value, and, except for fuel, is fcarcely ufed but for hoops and women's (hoe-heels. In the times of archery it was employed for arrows. " The birch for fhafts," fays our Spenfer. On account of its lightnefs, it is much em- ployed for fcaffoldings about London. Its fmall branches or twigs are commonly ufed for THE BIRCH. 6l for befoms. The bark is a very valuable fubftance to the northern people, who make various utenfils of it, and cover their houfes with it. It alfo makes good torches ; for it abounds in a relinous quality, which like- wife gires it firmnefs and durability. The fap of the birch is an agreeably- flavoured, fweetifh liquor, well known as the bafis of one of our domeftic wines. It is, however, neceflary to add fugar or honey in order to bring it to ferment pro- perly. Thi6 juice is extracled by boring holes in the tree almoft to the centre of the trunk, in the fpring, as foon as the fap begins to flow. The leaves of the birch poflfcfs an agreeable fragrance. THE ( 62 ) THE ALDER. BETULA ALNUS. Pl.iQ. Fructification. As the birch, except that the female catkin is rounder, like a fir-cone. Specific cbaraffer. Fruit-ftalks branched. Leaves nearly circular, ferrated, clammy. THIS tree is alfo a lover of moifture, and flourifhes in boggy lituations, and by the lide of rivers. It may be reared to a large tree ; in which ftate it mud have been, in order to have afforded the firft material for boats or canoes by its hollowed trunk, as mentioned by Virgil in his Georgics. With us it is more commonly planted for coppice- wood, to be cut down every ninth or tenth year for poles. The wood is chiefly va- luable THE ALDER. 63 luable for its property of remaining long found under water ; whence it is ufed for water-pipes, and for piles to be driven into the ground in order to fupport buildings in boggy fituations. It is alfo employed for fhoe-heels, clogs, and turner's work. Every part of the alder has an aftringent quality. Its bark gives a brown dye, and is ufed by fifhermen to ftain their nets. With the- addition of copperas it ftrikes a black. THE THE WHITE WILLOW. SALIX ALBA. Frufttfication. Barren flowers in a tiled catkin, each having from two to five chives. Fertile flowers upon feparate trees, in a catkin, each fucceeded by a capfule of one ceil, containing fe- veral feathered feeds. Specif c clarafter. Leaves fpear-fhaped, fliarp-pointed, ferrated, downy on both fides, the lowermoft ferratures glandular. THE numerous willow tribe are for the rnofl part aquatics. They differ much as to fize; but are in general diftinguifhed by the length of their leaves, and flender- nefs and flexibility of their branches. The white willow is one of thofc which arrive at the THE WHITE WILLOW. 65 the largeft bulk. It is common in moid woods and hedges, and on the fide of brooks and rivers, the courfe of which it often marks by its grey foliage, diftinguifhable at a diftance by the eye of the traveller. The wood of this tree is very white, and takes a fine polifli; whence it is in requeft for milk- pails and other utenfils which require pe- culiar cleanlinefs. The bark of this and of fome other fpecies of willow is aftringent, and will tan leather. It has been ufed me- dicinally as a fubftitute for the Peruvian bark in the cure of agues ; a property hap- pily fuited to the fituations in which thele trees principally delight. THE ( 66 ) THE CRACK WILLOW. SALIX FRAGH.IS. PL 21. FruElification. As the former. Specific character. Leaves oval-lanceolate, ferrated, fmooth, with toothed, glan- dular foot-ftalks. THIS fpecies alfo grows to a pretty tali tree. Its name is derived from the brittle- nefs of its branches, which, if ftruck with the finger, break off at the year's fhoot. It grows quickly, and will thrive in raoft foils. Its leaves are of a fhining green on both fides, and of great length ; which give it an elegant appearance. THE THE WEEPING WILLOW. SALIX BABYLONICA. Frucltfication. As the former. Specific chara&er. Leaves n arrow- fpear- fhaped, fmooth, ferrated ; branches pendulous. THIS fpecies is well known to the lovers of piclurefque beauty, from that difpofition to hang down in long ilender branches, which makes it an admirable accompani- ment to a ftill retired piece of water, with the melancholy character of which it is perfectly in unifon. In mifty weather, drops of water are feen diftilling from the extremities of its branches ; which circum- ftance has given it a name, and wonder- fully aids its effect. The weeping willow grows to a large fize, and attains a confi- p 2 derable 68 THE WEEPING WILLOW. derable age. One has lately been cut down, planted in his own garden by the hand of Pope, and faid to have been one of the firft of its fpecies introduced into the kingdom. THE THE SALLOW. SALIX CAPREA. Fructification. As the former. Specific character. Leaves oval, wrinkled, downy beneath, waved, indented to- wards the upper end. THIS fpecies alfo grows to a confiderable fize. It delights in dryer foils than moft of the willow tribe, and will thrive on the tops of hills. Its branches are brittle, fmootb, and of a dark green. The catkins are very large and white, and much re- forted to by bees early in the fpring. The flowering branches are gathered by chil- dren under the name of palms ; and car- ried about on Palm-Sunday. The wood of the fallow is ufed for fuel, and makes excel- F 3 lent 70 THE SALLOW. lent charcoal for gun powder and drawing- pencils. It is alfo employed by turners ; and of the fmaller boughs hurdles are made. The bark is ufed by fome northern people in tanning. THE THE OZ1ER. SALIX VIMINALIS. Fruftif cation. As the former. Specific cbaracler. Leaves very long, nar- row, pointed, almoft entire, filky be- neath ; branches rod-like. THIS fpeeies is the principal example of the fhrub-willows, remarkable for their very long and flexible branches, which fit them for being woven into the different kinds of balket-vvork. The ozier loves a moid fituation, and is commonly planted by the fides of rivers and ponds. It covers many of the river-iflands of the Thames, and renders very profitable, fpots which would otherwife be left wafte. It has the further value of ftrengthening the banks of ftreams, and preventing them from being vvafhed away F 4 by 72 THE OZIER. by the force of the current. It is of very rapid growth, and when properly managed will afford an annual crop of twigs for the bafket-maker. There are feveral kinds of ozier ; and fome other forts of willow are trained and cropt for fimilar purpofes, ac- cording to the lize of twigs required for dif- ferent works. There are many other fpecies of willow befides thofe above enumerated, which however in properties all approach them more or lefs. Some dwarf kinds are met with as far north as altnoft any vegetables will grow, and dwindle in bulk till they become the very lowed of trees or (hrubs. THE ( 73 ) THE SCOTCH FIR, or PINE. PINUS SYLVESTRIS. PI. 22. Fruftif cation. Barren flowers in bunches, each with many chives united at the tips. Fertile flowers on the fame tree in a cone, com pofed of fcales, with two flowers in each ; the feed-bud fuc- ceeded by a nut having a winged membrane. Specific character. Leaves growing in pairs out of one (heath ; in their firft growth folitary and fmooth. THE pine tribe form a large and im- portant family in trees, diftinguifhed by their ftifF, narrow, pointed leaves, gene- rally evergreen, and of a dark hue, and their fcaly cones. Some of them affect mountainous fituations ; others, bogs and fwamps ; 74 THE- SCOTCH FIR. fwamps ; and they often compofe woods of vaft extent, cloathing barren and defolate regions unfit for human culture. The fpecies of pine now under confi- deration is called with us the Scotch fir, becaufe it grows naturally in fome parts of the Highlands of Scotland, perpetuating itfelf by the feedlings which come up from the fallen cones. It is, however, by no means peculiar to that country, but grows abundantly in the mountainous parts of Norway, Sweden, and Ruffia, covering the fides of the higheft hills, often out of the reach of man. It will thrive in any temperate climate, and delights moft in poor fandy foils. When growing in a thick wood or grove, it is drawn up with a ftraight naked trunk ; but in an open funny expofure it fpreads out with wide branches. As the terminating buds only fend forth fhoots, it will not bear the leaft clipping. Vaft plantations of this tree have been made within the laft thirty or forty years in vauious parts of the ifland, which will at leaft anfwer the purpofe of improving THE SCOTCH FIR. 75 improving thelandfcape in naked andfterile tracls, though it is fufpe&ed that the tim- ber will never be fo valuable as that in the natural forefts. No wood is at prefent ufed among us in a quantity approaching that of the fir j which, under the name of deal, is the principal timber employed about buildings, for flooring, planks, beams, rafters, and the like ; alfo for the upper- deck works of men of war, and for various domeftic purpofes. It has the advantage of being cheap, light, and eafily worked ; but it fplits readily, and is extremely in- flammable. Deals are red, yellow, or white, according to their growth, or the different fpecies of fir whence they are procured. Almoft the whole of our con- fumption comes from Norway, or the coun- tries bordering the Baltic ; the firs of our own growth being fit for little more than pods and rails. Thofe in the native forefts of Scotland, indeed, are to be excepted, but thefe afford a fmall fupply. Befides the value of their timber, the 9 firs 76 THE SCOTCH FIR. firs of various fpecies yield the important produces of turpentine, tar, and pitch. They abound in a refinous juice, which, exuding from the tree in its natural Mate, is turpentine. The fame, when forced out by a clofe-fmothered fire, is tar ; and this, thickened by boiling, becomes pitch. Rofin is the refiduum of turpentine from which the eflential oil has been diftilled. From all thefe uies, the fir may be called ihefailor's tree with as much propriety as the oak. Indeed, the eariieft veffels built for navigation were conftrucled with this material, and in the antient poets the pine is conftantly employed as a metaphorical term for a Jbip. Even at prcfent, the cheapnefs of fir timber in the north of Europe and America caufes many vefTels to be built of it alone, which have the ad- vantage of fwimming light, though they foon decay. The white inner rind of the Scotch r is ground to powder and mixed with rye meal in order to make bread in feafons of fcarcity, THE SCOTCH FIR. 77 fcarcity, by the poor inhabitants of Sweden and Norway. Many other fpecies of pine are now be- come common in our plantations. Of thefe we fliall mention a few of the principal. THE THE SPRUCE FIR. PINUS ABIES. PI. 23. Fructification. As the former. Specific chara&er. Leaves folitary, awl- fhaped, pointed, fmooth, turned two ways. "Tins is a fine and large tree, growing plentifully in the mountain-woods of Nor- way, and valuable for its timber, which is faid to afford the white- deal. From the green tops of this fpecies is made the fpruce- beer, fo much efteemed in America as a remedy for fcorbutic diforders. THE ( 79 ) THE SILVER FIR. PlNUS PlCEA. PI. 24. Fruflification. As the former. Specific character. Solitary notched leaves : cones pointing upwards. THIS fpecies grows to a ftraight tall tree, and is one of the mod fightly of the kind- It receives its name from the hue of its leaves, which are of a full green in their upper furface, but, in the under, have two white lines running parallel to the mid- rib on each fide, which give it a filvery appearance as viewed from below. The leaves in their form and manner of growth refemble thofe of the yew, whence it has been named the yew-leaved fir. The Latin appellation, picea, is borrowed from its SO THE SILVER FIR. its being that whence tar or pitch is chiefly extracted. It is a native of Norway, and is faid to yield the yellow deal. The cones grow to a great fize, and foon fhed their feeds. THE THE WEYMOUTH PINE. PINUS STROBUS. PL 25. Fruftificat'on. As the former. Specific char after. Leaves, five growing out of each fheath. THIS fpecies, a native of North America, where it is called the white pine, grows to the greateit height of any of the tribe, often arriving to that of one hundred feet. It is therefore preferred to the reft for inafts of fhips ; and our largeft men of war are furnifhed with them from trunks of this pine collected in the yards of Nova Scotia. They were firft cultivated in England by Lord Weymouth, whence they are generally known here by his G name ; 82- THE WEYMOUTH PINE. name ; and they are now common in our plantations. This tree has a fmooth delicate baric, and its branches are well cloathed with leaves. Its long cones hang loofely down, and foon fhed their feeds. THE ( 83' ) THE LARCH, PINUS LARIX. PL 26* Fructification. As the former. Specific character. Leaves long, narro\Vj in bundles fpreading like a brufh, de- ciduous. THIS tree, a native of the Alps and Apen- nines, has become a favourite with us, and is now extremely common in our nurferies and plantations. In beauty of appearance^ and durability of wood, it much furpafies the Scotch fir, and will thrive in foils and fituations equally unpromifing. Its leaves fall in the winter, but not till they are almoft ready to be immediately fucceeded by frem ones. Some larches make a beautiful fhow in flowering-time with the bright purple tips of their female buds. G a Their 84 Their branches have a tendency to hang downwards ; and the trees, when they have room to fpread, feather quite to the ground, forming an elegant cone of verdure. The wood is confidercd as almott unperifhable in the countries where it is employed for timber. The larch is very relinous, and yields the turpentine commonly called Venice. THE ( 85 ) THE YEW. TAXUS BACCATA. P/. Fructification. Barren flowers, without petals, conflfting of many united chives. Fertile flowers, generally on a feparate tree, without petals, fuc- ceeded by a berry, fucculent, globular, open at the end, containing one feed. Specific character. Long, narrow, pointed leaves, growing near together. Bark reddifh. Berries red. THE yew is a native tree of this country, and is found in rocky and mountainous fituations, where, though of flow growth, and moderate height, it fomedmes arrives at great thicknefs of trunk. It is, how- ever, more commonly feerr in a planted ftate, particularly in church-yards, pro- o 3 bably 86 THE YEW. bably on account of its being an ever- green, and furniflbing boughs for the de- coration of churches at the feafon of Chriftrnas. This fituation, and the gloomy darknefs of its foliage, have caufed it to be named " the funereal yew." It is, how- ever, more celebrated for the antient ufe of its wood in making the mofl formidable weapon of our anceflors, the long bow. Its toughnefs and elafticity rendered it pe- culiarly fit for this purpofe : Thus Spenfer charadterifes it as The cugh obedient to the bender's will. Much force was, however, required in overcoming its refinance, and the archer muft have had a itrong arm And almoft joined, the horns of the tough yew. It was commonly planted near houfes, ' both on account of its utility, and its fitnefs for being cut into thofe artificial fhapes which were formerly thought highly curious and ornamental. Pyramids, obe- lilks, THE YEW. 87 lilks, birds and beafts of yew decorated the court-yards of our country-houfes, and fupplied matter of admiration to the gaz- ing paflenger. A better ufe of its obe- dience to the (hears was made in the tall and impenetrable yew hedges, which fhel- tered and protected the antient gardens. The yew, however, has always lain under the imputation of pofTeffing noxious qua- lities. It is thought prejudicial to bees, and horfcs and cows have been killed by eating quantities of its clippings. There are even inflances of a fmall dofe of the frefh leaves proving fatal to children to whom it was given as a remedy for the worms. The fvveet and vifcid berries .are eaten without inconvenience. The wood is at prefent valued by cabinet-makers and inlaytrs on account of its beautiful red veins ; and is alfb a good material for axles, cogs for mill-wheels, flood-gates for fifh- ponds, and other works of ftrength and durability. THE ( 88 ) THE HOLLY. ILEX A QUI FOLIUM. PL IS. Fruftificalion. Flowers generally with four chives and four pointals on each, (but fometimcs the barren and fertile fe- parate,) fucceedcd by a berry with four cells and one feed in each. Specific character. Leaves oval, pointed, thorny. THE holly grows native in woods to the height of twenty or thirty feet ; but we more ufually fee it in gardens in the ftate of a fhrub. ft is an evergreen, and by its fhining leaves and red berries forms a principal decoration in the winter land- fcape. Armed by^ nature in its own de- fence with thorns projecting from the in- dentations- of the leaves, it has been fe- letfed THE HOLLY. 89 lecled by man for the protection of his cultivated plants, and formed into hedges impenetrable to all the foes of the garden. Were it not for its flow growth, no native of this climate would be preferred to the holly for this purpofe. Mr. Evelyn fpeaks with rapture upon this fubjecl. " Is there," fays he, " under heaven a more glorious and refrefhing object of the kind, than an impregnable hedge of about four hun- dred feet in length, nine feet high, and five in diameter, which I can fliovv in my now ruined gardens at Say's Court, at any time of the year, glittering with its armed and varnifhed leaves j the taller flandards at orderly diflances, blufhing with their natural coral ? It mocks the rudeft af- faults of the weather, beads, or hedge- breakers, Et ilium nemo impune laceffit" By the Ikill of the gardener numerous varieties are derived from the common or wild holly, diftinguifhed by the variegations of their leaves, and difpofition of their prickles. Some of thefe are very curious and beautiful, and afford rich ornaments to a fiirub- 90 THE HOLLY. a fhrubbery. The wood of the full-grown holly is valuable. It is the whiteft of all our hard woods, and therefore ufed by inlayers, and is fometimes ftained black to imitate ebony. It is alfo excellent for the ufes of the turner, carver, and mill-wright, being extremely firm and durable. Birdlime is made of the green bark of the holly, firft boiled, and then laid in a damp place to fer- ment, by which it is converted to a perfedfc mucilage or flime. THE ( 9' ) THE BOX. Buxus SEMPERVIRENS. Fruttificaiion. Barren flowers with two petals and four chives. Fertile flowers in the fame bud, with three petals and three (hafts, fucceeded by a roundifh capfule with three bills and three cells, having two feeds. Specific cliarafler. Leaves oval, thick, glofly. BlofToms greenifh white. THE box is another evergreen tree or fhrub, which is met with, though fpar- ingly, in a wild ftate with us, but more commonly as planted in our gardens. Its rarenefs (probably owing to a foreign origin) may be inferred by its having given a name to thofe fpots where it is principally found \ as Box-hill, in Sur- 3 rey ; <}2 THE BOX. rey ; Boxley, in Kent ; and Boxwetl in the Cotfvvould in Gloucefterfhire. In all thefe places the box grows in woods or thickets; it is alfo plentiful upon the chalk hills near Dunftable. A ftony fhallovv foil, of the lime-ftone kind, feems beft to fuit it. In old gardens it was much cultivated for the purpofe of clip- ping into thofe artificial forms which were once fo much admired ; and alfo for hedges. A dwarf kind is ftiil one of the commoneft borderings of flo cr beds, and plcafes the eye by its perpetual ver- dure. The wood of the box is of a pale yellow ^ colour ; and being very hard, fmooth, and folid, is much valued for various purpofes. The principal of thefe are the making of combs, mathematical rulers and other inflruments, flutes, {hut- ties, and turnery wares. It bears a high price, and may be cut about every thirty years. FINIS. i, l'iui.<;i> l Cbaccjjr Lnc. a. . Male catkin . f> . Female flowers r ThcNul. I. The Cup. J9.I. . .W-...VW. a. Male calkin, b. Female Budr i- Capsule opening . d.Nut. a . A Branch in Flwer. M Seed. a . unch of flowetv. b . A yvuwed seed . c . Seed naked . Ha/de ti.Afa/c & hermaphrodite Flowers '. b.Two winged Seeds, c .Seed naked . .Runch of Fljo b . Two winged saai c.Sced naked. . a .FloH'ers vith floral leaf l>. Capsule. c . J). cut transi'avly . d . Seed. a . A bunch of Flowers b. The capsidc of Nuts 1'IJI. a . Male catkin. . 1. Female IT. c . Seeds in their place d.A single seed . FIX. tt.Male catkins. Female flmver ma. PLMI. //,/,/ f c . Globe of Seeds I 7Y.Y7X a. Male catkin b. Female W a. Male cation, b. Female PLL sJ*LCfo i . Male catkin. . The Gem or Winter lodge. . The fuJture Cone. r . A Cone opened skewing the Seeds a.. Afdle caOdn b. Future Cone *%. yet .fnut/i. &,e t JnriA saUp. a. Scale with, two wiryed Seeds. b . Simple seed. a . Male .catkin b . Immature cone, c . Female flower a. Berry cut verfiai/fy. b.Seed. a. . Berry. b . Dcuttransversly. University of California Library Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 31 ( APR 1 2 2005 5-9188 A 000 562 575 1