ITS TREES. 113 



and by its autumn berries. Waggoners, passing through 

 the Forest to London, deck their teams with great 

 branches of May blossom, but there is enough and to 

 spare for all. When not overshadowed by other trees 

 •it grows in a dense bush, not more than 12 feet high, 

 with a flat rounded head. 



The Blackthorn {Pncims spinosa) forms the most impenet- 

 rable undergrowth in the Forest. It flowers earlier than 

 the may, and is a welcome forerunner of spring. It 

 is the parent of our plums and bullaces, which have 

 been developed from it by ages of cultivation in our 

 gardens. 



The Common Crab {Pyrus Mains) is the wild representative of 

 the apple. It is widely spread through the Forest. The 

 blossoms, with which the tree is smothered in May, are 

 highly ornamental. The deer feed greedily on the 

 apples, which they eat whole, and do not seem any the 

 worse for. For this reason the tree was not allowed to 

 be pollarded. The stems are rugged and picturesque. 



The Bird Cherry [Pninus Cerasus). — I believe I have seen 

 this tree growing in the Forest, and have no doubt 

 that it used to do so, but I cannot now put my hand 

 on it. In any case it is scarce. It is gay in spring, 

 and the autumn leaves colour richly. 



The Common Sallow or Goat Willow {Salix caprea) forms 

 a small bush in rough places and the hollows left by 

 old gravel pits. It produces the "goslings" which 

 children are fond of gathering at Easter. 



The Holly {Ilex Aqitifoliuni ), the chief evergreen we possess, 

 grows freely throughout the Forest wherever the soil 

 is tolerably dry. It is not much observed in the sum- 

 mer ; but when other trees are bare, from the shelter 

 and seclusion which it affords, and from the deep green 

 of its glossy leaves, it is invaluable. For some reason 

 which I cannot explain it does not often bear berries 

 in the Forest. This is as well, as otherwise large 

 quantities of it might disappear at Christmas time. 



Butcher's Broom {Rnscits acnlcatus) is the only other ever- 

 green indigenous to the Forest. There is not much of 

 it, and what there is, is not very ornamental. 



