TRA VELLER'S JOY 13 



also, for it is found by good experience that if Cloathes 

 and Spunges be wet in the said Water and applyed to any 

 place whereinto Thornes, or Splinters, have entered and 

 be there abiding, it will notably draw them forth, so that 

 the Thorne gives a Medicine for its own pricking, as 

 many other things do besydes, if they be observed." 



In the fourteenth century, or Decorated period, of Gothic 

 architecture a great use was made of natural forms in the 

 wood and stone carvings, flooring tiles, and so forth. Thus 

 we find the hop, bryony, nut, oak, maple, rose, and many 

 other plants, and amongst these the foliage and fruit of 

 the hawthorn is often beautifully introduced. The 

 cathedrals of Exeter, Winchester, Lincoln, Ely, and 

 Wells, afford excellent examples of this use of one plant. 

 Botanically the hawthorn is the Cratcegus Oxyacantha. 



TRAVELLER'S JOY (Clematis Vitalba) 



Trailing for long distances over the hedges, and especially 

 in chalk districts, will be found the " Traveller's Joy," a 

 name suggestive of its appreciation by the wayfarer. Like 

 the bindweed, hop, and divers other climbers that support 

 themselves by the aid of other plants, it has a keen sense 

 of looking after its own interests, throwing its stems and 

 leaves well forward into the air and sunlight at the expense 

 of the other hedgerow plants. The scientific name is 

 Clematis Vitalba. The Traveller's Joy has no tendrils, 

 but supports itself very firmly by twisting its leaf stems 

 tightly round any practicable branch of hawthorn, or maple, 

 or guelder rose, or whatever else may be available " re- 

 compensing well the strength they borrow with the grace 



