56 SYLVAN WINTER. 



spreading out at the bottom into rugged claws, rises 

 straight, though gnarled and twisted, showing upon 

 its surface many hard-looking 'knobs and protuber- 

 ances, whilst the bark is rough, grooved, and con- 

 torted (page 176). Sometimes at about ten feet 

 from the ground the stem forks into limbs, which 

 again branch the branches dividing into smaller 

 ones and these into spray on the same plan one of 

 twisting angularity and contortion, rising, twining, 

 bending, drooping, and rising again. Yet though 

 rugged, all is symmetrical there is no irregu- 

 larity or inconsistency, and all spaces are well 

 filled by twisted limb, branch, or spray. The 

 spread of the tree is not great, yet it is enough to 

 give an ample character to the head, and its height 

 including trunk and superimposed branches is 

 not meagre. From the sides of the trunk, beneath 

 the first principal fork, branches are not un- 

 frequently given off, and these rise, bend, droop 

 and twist in the same picturesque manner as is 

 noticeable in the entire ramification. So curious 

 is the twisting of the bark on the bole and limbs, 

 that the ridges stand out like a network of ropes 

 wound upon the trunk. Here and there the 



