108 THE BLACKTHORN. 



The epidermis, or outer coating of the bark, has, in this 

 species, as in most others of the same genus, a tendency to 

 split horizontally, and to curl hack while yet partially at- 

 tached to the tree. The leaf is small, of a dark green 

 colour, slightly downy underneath, especially at the junction 

 of the veins, and in its young state. The flowers are 

 white and conspicuous only from their abundance : as they 

 expand before the leaves, and are consequently unrelieved 

 by any verdure, they are not beautiful. The fruit when 



ripe is black, and being covered with a delicate bloom, 

 presents, late in the autumn, a more pleasing appearance 

 than the tree can display at any other season. 



It is found throughout Europe, with the exception of 

 the extreme north ; it occurs also in the north of Africa, 

 and many parts of Asia, and has been introduced into 

 America, where it is frequently found in hedges perfectly 

 naturalized. 



