43 



XVI. 



ROSACEA. 



THE WHITE THORN. 



CRAT.EGUS OXYACANTHA. 



" The hawthorn-bush with seats beneath the shade, 

 For talking age and whispering lovers made." 



Goldsmith. 



No tree is more familiar as a dwarf and a 

 hedge plant than the white thorn. It is also 

 known in England as the hawthorn and the May 

 bush, from its association with the old Roman 

 festivals that were celebrated in honour of the 

 Goddess of Flowers. These festivals were held 

 from April 28th to May ist, the blossom of the 

 white thorn being the floral emblem. 



The leaves expand in April, and are from 

 one to two inches in length, with from three to 

 five lobes terminating in a short point. The 

 flowers appear about a month later. The bark 

 is a light grey, in strong contrast to the bark of 

 the black thorn, which has its blackness strikingly 

 brought out between the snowy flowers which 

 show themselves before the leaves unfold. Both 

 species belong to the extensive tribe of the roses. 



