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THE DOGWOOD. 



Hound's -tree. It is also called Prickwood, from its wood 

 being frequently made into toothpicks and skewers. 



It usually grows in the form of a thick bush, but may 

 occasionally be seen trained up to be a round-headed tree, 

 from fifteen to twenty feet high, and with a stem six 

 inches in diameter. Unlike most other trees, it is best 



distinguished in winter, when its bright red branches 

 (which in some places give it the name of Bloody-twig) 

 are very conspicuous. In early spring it bears at the 

 extremities of the twigs numerous white flowers, which 

 consist of four spreading petals ; and these are succeeded 

 by small berries, which in August and September become 

 dark purple, or almost black. Towards the end of Sep- 

 tember the leaves turn bright red, and finally deep purple. 



