248 USE OF THORNS. 



upon the unheeding passenger. A palm has also 

 been observed in the woods of Mexico which is 

 equally guarded by fierce thorns, doubtless because 

 the plant does not grow high, and consequently the 

 fruit and flowers would fall a prey to every invader. 

 Our native woods afford abundant instances of simi- 

 lar guardianship. The leaves on the lower branches 

 of the holly are covered with thorns, while those 

 which grow towards the summit are without any. 

 Thus is a citadel provided for small birds, which 

 defends them from the wild cat and weasel. Other 

 plants are equally protected; the hawthorn and the 

 gooseberry, the bramble, raspberry, and wild rose, 

 with all the numerous tribe which 



Fringe the forest's devious edge, or, 

 Drooping, bend above the rock, 

 And through the foliage show their head, 

 "With narrow leaves and berries red ; 



while others are stationed on commons and in 

 hedge-rows, and along the borders of the road, and 

 preserve abundance of winter food for the songsters 

 of the grove. You may see them flying in and out 

 among the branches, and uttering their cheerful 

 notes, as if in thankfulness for the bounteous store- 

 houses which are open to them when the corn is 

 gathered in, and the seeds are scattered from their 

 capsules by the autumn wind. 



The woods are stripped by the wintry winds, 

 And faded the flowers that bloomed on the lea, 



But many a gem the wanderer finds, 

 The ruby fruits of the wild briar tree. 



The strong are bowed down, the beauteous are dead, 

 The blasts through the forest sigh mournfully; 



