182 



SYLVAN WINTER. 



prived the Plum, which is the descendant of the 

 Sloe, of its thorny mail. In the rougher habitats 

 of the forest it is armed to the teeth, as our en- 



Blackthorn. 



graving will show so stoutly armed indeed is it, 

 that the thorn often continues in a straight line the 

 twig which bears it and gives the appearance of a 

 spear, whilst the lichen-incrusted stems and the 



