Handbook of Trees of the Xorthkrn Statks axd Canada. 261 



The Eiif,'!ish Hawtliorn, or the Alay of Eng- 

 lish literal lire, is the most widely distributed 

 species of the genus, being found as a native 

 distribute, 1 over the greiter part of luirope 

 ;'i.a tMilr.il Asia, whence it was int rdiluee-l 

 into America and is now naturalized in many 

 localities in eastern United States. It is a 

 species of medium stature, seldom more than 

 20 or 25 ft. in height, of ratlier upright habit 

 cf growth and with trunk 8 or 10 in. in diame- 

 ter. This is more or less ridged and covered 

 w itli a grayish brown bark of elongated, closely 

 a;ipre3sed scaler. It has been extensively 

 planted for ornniiental ])urposes for centuries 

 in all European countries and few plants equal 

 it in popularity for hedges. So extensively is 

 it grown in England that it is as prominent in 

 tiie associations of country life there as are 

 the nightengale and sky-lark, and the beauty 

 of the " blossoming j\Iay " in spring time has 

 made it famous in literature. It is particularly 

 well adapted to hedge growth, as its many stilT 

 branches arijied with numerous sharp thorns 

 make an effective barrier. It was for that use 

 and for ornamental planting that it was early 

 brought to America. Here it does not seem to 

 be entirely suited to our climatic conditions 

 and has never won for itself the popularity it 

 has in England. 



A few natural and several nursery varieties 

 are found which vary widely from the normal 

 type and some of these are of special orna- 

 mental Aahie. Au'.ong them are forms with 

 (Iduble white, red or variegated llowers. inei-o I 

 or variegated leaves, fastigiate or drooping 

 habit of growth, etc., and in one the period of 

 flowering is prolonged until autunui. 



In Asia the tree is said to b.e cultivated for 

 its fruit. 



Its wood is heavy, hard and very fine- 

 grained, and is used in turnery. It is said 

 to be the best sul)stitute for Boxwood in wood- 

 engraving. 



Lrnrrs mostly broad-ovate, obovate or oval. 

 l-2Vj in. lonj?. wido-cunoato or truncate and entire 

 at base witb 1-.". pairs of wide sprendin-: lobes. 

 iiTosularly dciiljUe or incisely serrate at apex. 

 Kl.'iluniis at lnal^Irity^ stipules oft(Ml promiiU'iit. 

 scmiccnd.ili'. iucisily dentate: petioles slender: 

 braniblcts witb numerous sliort tborns. F/oi/. cs 

 about 'j in. broad white or pinkish, in mniiv- 

 flowered corymbs ; styles 1-."?. Fruit oblon'.: to 

 suliiilobose. V:i-V. in. Ions: stones 1 nr 2. when 

 in otiirs witli 2 furrows on tlie inner side. 



\'av. .raiitlini-nipn. Roem.. has conspicuous yol 

 low fruit. Viir. mnnofiiiun .Tacn.. oriL'inally dc> 

 scribed as a distinct species, has a single stone as 

 shown in our illustration. 



