206 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR XAMES HARE 



at Cirencester, regarding which, in a report, it is stated that ^. 

 ovata was sown in a plot in 1854. Seeds were taken and sown 

 in different parts of the garden, and their progeny were from 

 year to year carefully re-sown, and the crop for 1860 had many 

 specimens upwards of 2 feet high, and with spikes of flowers 

 containing as many as twelve spikelets. If wheat really origin- 

 ated from j^gilops ovata, it must have done so in very early 

 times, as we read of wheat in the time of Jacob 3600 years 

 0,00 ; also, wheat grains are found in the prehistoric lake-cities of 

 Switzerland. 



Hare's-foot Fern {Davallia canariensis), a multifate fronded 

 fern. It derives its name from the rhizome being covered with 

 soft grey scales, giving it the appearance of a hare's foot. It is 

 a favourite with amateur fern-cultivators. ^Being a native of 

 Madeira and the Canary Islands, it requires greenhouse pro- 

 tection in winter. 



Haricot Bean. {See Kidney Bean.) 



Hassagay Tree {Curtisia faginea), a middle-sized tree of 

 the Dogwood family (Cornacese), a native of South Africa. It 

 is especially important for its wood, of which the Kafirs and 

 other native tribes form their spears, termed hassagays, or assa- 

 gays, which in their hands form such formidable weapons, as 

 shown by their effects in the late Zulu war. 



Hawthorn, or Quick {Crataegus Oxyacantlia). — This well- 

 known hedge-tree belongs to the Apple family (Pomacese), and 

 is a native of most parts of Northern Europe and Asia. When 

 grown singly it attains a height of 20 or more feet, and lives 

 to a great age. It is, however, principally used for forming 

 hedge fences. There are several varieties, distinguished by the 

 colour of their fruit, and in having single or double flowers. 

 The common white May is sweet-smelling ; but the variety vdth 

 scarlet flowers has a disagreeable odour. The Glastonbury 

 Thorn is a variety which flowers in early spring, or even at 

 Christmas, if the w^eather is mild. In this country the berries 

 are called Haws. C. aronia is a bushy species, ha"sdng a red 

 fleshy fruit larger than the preceding. It is a native of Soutliern 



