FLOWERING SHRUBS. 141 



The name of the Genus is supposed to be derived from the Latin 

 word vieo, to tie, on account of the flexibiUty of the branches of some of 

 the species. The word Vihurna, in the plural, seems to have been 

 applied by the ancients to al' plants which were used for tying. 



Hobble-bush — Viburnum lanianoides, (Michx). 



This shrub would appear to be typical of the Genus, for the branches 

 twine and twist most irregularly, and the lower ones are procumbent, 

 often taking root where they touch the ground, whence the popular 

 name. The flowers of this species somewhat resemble the last ; but 

 -are more cream-coloured, and appear earlier. The large hand- 

 some leaves are round ovate, heart-shaped at the base, and, together 

 with the young branchlets, are covered underneath on the veins and 

 veinlets with tufts of brown down. The ovoid fruit is crimson, turning 

 blackish, and although edible is not very pleasant. 



Maple-leaved Dockmackie— F//^//r;^//.w acerijoliuui, (L). 



is a low pretty shrub, not uncommon in open thickets and damp woods. 

 The flowers are more delicate and not so conspicuous as those of the 

 preceding ; but it would make a pretty border shrub, bearing some 

 resemblance to the Laurestinus, with which it has been compared ; the 

 foliage, however, is very unlike, being of a light-green colour, veiny, 

 and lobed, coarsly-toothed and slightly downy underneath. The fruit is 

 dark purple, or black, hard and flat, not edible. There is a larger 

 species which is known as the Larger Dockmackie or Indian Arrow-wood, 

 V. dentatum (L.) The Indians used the long, straight, wand-like branches 

 ■of this shrub, when seasoned by the smoke of the wigwam, for the shafts 

 •of their arrows ; but since they have been able to obtain rifles, the flint 

 arrow-heads have fallen into disuse, and are found no more in the 

 Indian wigwam. This primitive weapon (formidable it must have been) 

 is found only on old battle-fields, or by chance the settler picks up one 

 in turning the soil on his new burnt fallow, wonders at the curious 

 shaped flint, and perhaps brings it home ; but more likely casts it away. 

 It is a type of the uncared-for race, whose forefathers shaped the stone 

 with infinite care and pains. 



There is another Viburnum, 



Sheep-berry — Sweet-berry, V. Lentogo, (L.) 



This species is found in rocky ravines, and on the sides of dry hills. 

 The fruit is sweet and pleasant, and when cooked with the addition of 

 red Currants, forms a very nice preserve, pudding or pie. As the work 

 of settlement goes on, many of our familiar wild shrubs and flowers 



