276 CRATAEGUS. 
hoary aspect. Ti y are less graceful in their mode of growth, some of them 
having a round formal head ; but their flowers are larger, and even more fra- 
grant, and their large fruit renders them striking objects in autumn. The spe- 
cies most worthy of culture among this group, are the azarole, (C. azarolus,) 
distinguished for its globose, scarlet fruit, which is eaten in Italy; the sweet- 
scented thorn, (C. odoratissima,) with its large, coral-red fruit; the tansy-leaved 
thorn, (C. tanacetifolia,) known by its globose, yellowish-green fruit ; and the 
aronia thorn, (C. aronia,) celebrated for its light, orange-coloured fruit, which is 
sold in the markets of Montpellier, in France, under the name of Pommettes d deux 
closes. 
The American thorns are species with leaves but little lobed, usually broad, 
shining, unequally toothed, often having exceedingly long spines, and having 
fruit of an intermediate size. They are not regarded as quite so handsome as 
the species of the preceding groups ; but the following, nevertheless, have suffi- 
ciently ornamental features, to be well worthy of cultivation : The cock-spur 
thorn, (Crataegus crus-galli,) and several of its varieties ; the dotted- fruited thorn 
(C. punctata) ; the Washington or heart-leaved thorn (C. cordata) ; Douglas' 
thorn, (C. douglasii,) distinguished for its dark, handsome leaves and fruit; and 
the small-fruited thorn, (C. microcarpa,) with graceful, pendulous shoots, and 
very small, beautiful vermilion-coloured fruit. 
Lastly, the evergreen thorns, including the Mexican thorn, (Crataegus mexi- 
cana,) and the fiery-fruited thorn (C. pyracantha.) The former is a small tree, 
with lance-shaped, bright-green leaves, and large, round, yellow fruit ; and the 
latter is an inhabitant of rocks and wild places in the south of Europe, and Cau- 
casus, and has long been cultivated for its flame-coloured berries, which remain 
upon the plant during most of the winter. 
