SMALL TREES, SHRUBS, AND COPPICE. 45 



mere in Surrey. In Kent it abounds in all the native 

 woods. 



In the dark ages the hazel was esteemed for its sup- 

 posed divining powers. More recently magic powers 

 were believed to be possessed by hazel-nuts burnt on 

 All-Hallows eve, as described by Gray : 



" Two hazel nuts I threw into the flame, 

 And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name. 

 This, with the loudest bounce me sore amazed, 

 That with a flame of brightest colour blazed. 

 As blazed the nut, so may thy passion grow, 

 For 'twas^thy nut that did so brightly glow." 



The CORNEL or DOGWOOD l claims a passing notice, 

 although more of a hedge plant than an undergiowth. 

 It is of ancient repute, for 



" His cornel spear 

 Ulysses waved, to rouse the savage war." 



This tree, which furnished the ancients with javelins, 

 supplies the moderns with skewers. Parkinson says 

 it was called dogwood because its fruit was not even 

 fit for dogs. The young branches are of a beautiful 

 reddish colour, which become very conspicuous in 

 winter, when all the trees are bare; and in the 

 autumn the leaves of the dogwood assume bright 

 tints, which give a pleasing variety to the usual 

 sombre brown. This shrub is confined chiefly to 

 chalky soils, and is by no means uncommon in the 

 south of England. 



1 Cormts sanguinea. 



