THE HAZEL. 



249 



minute and yet how incalculably numerous must they be, 

 that they should vanish from the sight too rapidly for the 

 eye to follow them, and yet exist in such numbers as to 

 be visible at all ! 



The principal varieties of Hazel cultivated in Great 

 Britain are the Filbert and Cob-nut ; the former of which 



THE FILBERT. 



is distinguished by its ample husk (which entirely conceals 

 the nut), the latter by its larger size. In mode of growth 

 and character of foliage neither of these differs materially 

 from the common Hazel. The name Filbert is supposed 

 to be a corruption of full beard, from the lengthened 

 appendage to the nut; an etymology which, unsatisfactory 

 M 3 



