MARCH. 65 
thanked God for producing so handsome a shrub. He tried 
to introduce it into Sweden on his return, but failed, as the 
climate was too severe, though here it grows on our bleakest 
commons. It is occasionally seen in the green-houses in 
that country and Russia. It is a very useful plant, its young 
shoots being eaten by animals, and its podded seeds by nu- 
merous birds. To the poor it is mvaluable for winter 
firing. 
Its pod, when thoroughly ripe, suddenly bursts with some 
noise, and each valve rolls itself into a spiral form, and 
scatters the seed to a considerable distance; so that where 
this plant is once fixed it soon spreads. A variety found in 
Treland is well known in our gardens; it does not flower so 
plentifully as the other; butits prickles are so soft and suc- 
culent, that cattle are extremely fond of it. The autumnal 
species. 
Urex nanus, Dwarf Furze, will be mentioned here, 
and shall be referred to at its proper season of flowering. It 
is half the size of the last in all its parts, and apparently 
only a variety. Bracteas minute and brown, close pressed, 
branches reclining. It grows on dry elevated heaths and 
pastures, and flowers in the autumn. 
