CYTJSUS. 



the pleasure was yet before me,) the Laburnum blossom is 

 compared to the hair itself : 



" I painted her with golden tresses, 

 Such as float on the wind's caresses 

 When the laburnums wildly fling 

 Their sunny blossoms to the spring." 



IMPROVISATRICE, p. 5. 



It is well for the present purpose that the handsomest 

 of the Laburnums is the smallest tree, and may be grown 

 in a tub for many years. They ought to be in company 

 with leafier trees, as they are but sparingly supplied with 

 green of their own. Who would not have at least one of 

 them, were it but to place by the side of the Persian lilac, 

 or the rhododendron ? 



It has been recommended to sow the Laburnum in 

 plantations infested with hares and rabbits ; for so long as 

 they can find a sprig of it, they will touch nothing else : 

 and though it be eaten to the ground in the winter, it will 

 spring up again the next season, and thus be a constant 

 supply for them. A whole plantation will be secured at 

 the expense of a few shillings. 



Laburnum-wood is very strong, and is much used for 

 pegs, wedges, knife-handles, musical instruments, and a 

 variety of purposes of that nature. Mr. Martyn, in his 

 edition of Millar's Dictionary, speaks of a table and chairs 

 made of this wood, which judges of elegant furniture pro- 

 nounced to be the finest they had ever seen. 



Pliny speaks of this wood as next in hardness to the 

 ebony : it has been thought to make the best bows ; and it 

 occasionally afforded torches for the Roman sacrifices : 



" Tondentur cytisi; taedas sylva alta ministrat; 

 Pascunturque ignes nocturni et lumina fundunt." 



VIRGIL, GEORGIC 2. 



" The cytisus is cut, the tall wood affords torches, and the nocturnal 

 fires are fed, and spread their light." MARTYN'S TRANSLATION, 

 p. 197. , 



