78 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



room can be afforded for them. They must be planted in 

 a pot or tub of considerable depth. There are three species 

 with white, and one with violet-coloured flowers : the others 

 have all yellow blossoms. 



The violet-coloured has no leaves, and is usually called 

 the Leafless Broom : it was found by Pallas in the Wolga 

 Desert. The Spanish Broom has yellow the Portugal, 

 white blossoms. The white-flowered, one-seeded kind, is 

 a native both of Spain and Portugal. " It converts the 

 most barren spot into a fine odoriferous garden,'" says Mr. 

 Martyn, speaking of this species. 



All the species here named will endure the cold without 

 shelter : they do not like much wet. Our common Broom 

 surpasses many of the foreign kinds in beauty : indeed, few 

 shrubs are more magnificent than this evergreen, with its 

 profusion of bright golden blossoms. 



" On me such beauty summer pours 

 That I am covered o'er with flowers ; 

 And when the frost is in the sky, 

 My branches are so fresh and gay 

 That you might look at me, and say, 

 This plant can never die. 



* # * # 



The butterfly, all green and gold, 

 To me hath often flown, 

 Here in my blossoms to behold 

 Wings lovely as his own." 



WORDSWORTH, vol. i. p. 259. 



They are the delight of the bees : and the young buds, 

 while yet green, are pickled like capers. It is said that the 

 branches are of service in tanning leather, and that a kind 

 of coarse cloth is manufactured from them. The young 

 shoots are mixed with hops in brewing ; and the old wood 

 is valuable to the cabinet-maker. Brooms are made from 

 this shrub ; and, from their name, it is supposed to have 

 furnished the first that were made. 



