470 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



were standing in our younger days, like twin giants 

 guarding the entrance, and we have a very lively 

 recollection of the fearful storm during which one of 

 them was injured by the lightning, and one of the 

 pinnacles of the Tower in the Park was struck and 

 nearly reduced to ashes. Indeed, the whole building 

 might have been completely destroyed on the occasion, 

 but for some lads who had taken shelter under the 

 arch in the front of the doorway, these were naturally 

 startled from their concealment by the crash, and 

 speedily gave the alarm. 



The Yew (Taxus baccata) is found everywhere on, 

 the chalk where it is permitted to grow. There are 

 several fine specimens flourishing among the deciduous 

 trees of a hanger overlooking West Harting Bottom, 

 a charming valley running from the Hop Garden 

 Copse to the ridge of the Down, and here, as well as 

 on Downley Brow and in the Park, they form a 

 pleasing contrast at all seasons with the surrounding 

 growths. A few solitary trees are also dotted about 

 on the marl in the lowlands. 



The Holly, or Holme (Ilex aquifoliutn) is more 

 generally distributed, being found on the chalk, the 

 marl, and the sand. It is usually spoken of as a shrub, 

 but we have seen several specimens that had attained 

 to the dignity of timber trees thirty feet high, with 

 stems eight or ten inches in diameter. Locally this 

 species is popularly known as the Holme (pronounced 

 " Home ") when the foliage is prickly, and Holly when 

 the leaves are destitute of spines, but as we often find 

 the two forms on one bush or tree, Holme and Holly 

 are simply convertible terms applicable to the same 

 species. 



Passing on from the timber trees to trees of smaller 

 growth, we come to the hedgerows, copses and waste 

 lands, where among the earlier flowering species we 

 find the Hazel (Cory his avellana) with its hardy catkins 

 and wee crimson blossoms, and the Blackthorn (Primus 



