XXVII. 1. THE THORN. 431 



closed by the teeth of the calyx, and containing from 2 to 5 

 bony nuts, each with one seed. 



Many of the most beautiful and highly valued thorns are 

 natives of North America, and four, and probably others, of 

 New England. Hence they have been carried to Europe, and 

 have there, especially within a few years past, received great 

 attention. It is found that a greater variety of beautiful small 

 trees and ornamental shrubs can be formed of the several species 

 of thorn than of any other kind of tree whatever. They thus 

 give persons, whose grounds are not extensive, the means of 

 ornamenting them with great facility. If trained as trees, they 

 have an appearance of singular neatness united with a good 

 degree of vigor. And the readiness with which they are pruned 

 and grafted, renders them susceptible of almost any shape which 

 the fancy of the owner would have them assume. 



In his Forest Scenery, I, 94, Gilpin, speaking of the English 

 hawthorn, after some depreciating remarks, adds, "In autumn, 

 the hawthorn makes its best appearance. Its glowing berries pro- 

 duce a rich tint, which often adds great beauty to the corner of 

 a wood, or the side of some crowded clump." In a more favor- 

 able tone his editor subjoins, — " We have seen it hanging over 

 rocks, with deep shadows under its foliage, or shooting from 

 their sides, in the most fantastic forms, as if to gaze at its image 

 in the deep pool below. We have seen it growing under the 

 shelter, though not under the shade, of some stately oak, embod- 

 ying the idea of beauty protected by strength. We have seen 

 it growing grandly on the green of the village school, the great 

 object of general attraction to the young urchins, who played 

 in idle groups about its roots, and perhaps the only thing re- 

 maining to be recognized, when the schoolboy returns as the 

 man. We have seen its aged boughs overshadowing one half 

 of some peaceful woodland cottage, its foliage half concealing 

 the window, whence the sounds of happy content and cheerful 

 mirth came forth. We know that lively season, 



When the milkmaid singeth blythe, 

 And the mower whets his scythe, 

 And every shepherd tells his tale 

 Under the hawthorn in the dale." 



