THE LIGNEOUS PLANTS OF HAMPSHIRE. 363 



chalky downs, where it shows in strange contrast with the sombre 

 yew. 



The Hawthorn, Whitethorn, or May {Cratcegus Oxyacantha). — 

 This well-known plant is fonnd everywhere, and there are many 

 variations in the fruit and leaf. It is esteemed as an ornamental 

 tree, and is ^ja?" excellence the hedge-plant of Britain. In a hedge, 

 1 recommend that it should be trimmed on the sides only, espe- 

 cially when required for shelter and ornament, as the plants then 

 blossom freely ; and from experience I can say that, treated in 

 this way, it forms as effective a fence. 



The Rose (Eosa). — This tribe of ornamental plants is fairly 

 well represented in the flora of Hampshire, and comprises the 

 following species : — The Burnet-leaved Rose (B. sinnosissima), 

 Slightly-scented Briar (i?. inodora), Small-flowered Briar (7?, 

 micrantha), Downy-leaved Rose {B. tomentosa), Trailing Dog-i"Ose 

 {R. arvensis), Common Dog-rose (7^, canina), True Sweetbriar 

 {^R. rubiginosa), rare. 



The Common Plum, Blackthorn, or Sloe, and Bullace (Prunus 

 communis, spinosa, and institia), are often classed together as one 

 species, although their characters are widely distinct. The early 

 blossoming of the blackthorn is so abundant a3 to give the 

 appearance of wreaths of snow ; but the quantity of fruit is small 

 in proportion. This may arise from the fact that severe weather 

 often prevails during the flowering season, and the " blackthorn 

 winter" has passed into a common saying. 



The Wild Cherry or Gean (P. avium) is plentiful, and highly 

 ornamental when in blossom, and produces an abundance of fruit, 

 of which the birds reap the beneflt. It is seldom left in the 

 coppices to attain timber size, as the small-wood is useful for 

 hoops, etc. Some of the trees have a girth of from 4 feet to 

 6 feet, and attain a height of 50 or 60 feet. The Morello Cherry 

 [P. Cerasus) is said to be native, and a distinct species, but I have 

 not found it. The Bird Cherry (P. Padus), locally called " Black 

 Dogwood," is plentiful, but is not allowed to attain any size, 

 being in demand for the manufacture of gunpowder. 



The Raspberry (^Ruhus idceus). — This is occasionally found, 

 but is not common. 



The Upright Bramble {R. siiherectus). — About as common as 

 the raspberry. 



The Common Bramble {R. fniticosus), Buckthorn-leaved B. 

 (P. rhamnifolms), Hornbeam-leaved B. {P. carpinifolius), Glan- 



