108 THE MAPLE. 



service it will occasionally root itself, and become an 

 inhabitant not easily ejected from our churchyards. 

 Badgers are said to feed much upon the fruit of the 

 bramble. They are certainly very fat and fleshy 

 about the time that the blackberry is ripe ; but it 

 is probable that the acorns and crabs, which it finds 

 at the same season, contribute most to its nourish- 

 ment. 



The maple (acer campestre) is found growing in 

 all our fences, generally reduced by the hedger's 

 bill to serve the same humble purposes as the thorns 

 and sloes associated with it. Sometimes, however, 

 it is permitted to assume the rank of a tree, when, 

 if not possessing dignity, it is certainly beautiful, 

 and becomes an ornament in the hedge-row. It is 

 the earliest sylvan beau that is weary of its summer 

 suit ; first shifting its dress to ochrey shades, then 

 trying a deeper tint, and lastly assuming an orange 

 vest ; thus setting a fashion that ere long becomes 

 the garb of all except the rustic oak, which looks 

 regardlessly at the beau, and keeps its verdant robe 

 unchanged. Soon tired of this, the maple takes a 

 pattern from his sober neighbour ash, throws its 

 gaudy trim away, and patiently awaits with all his 

 peers the next new change. In spring the wood- 

 bine wreaths its knots of green around the rugged 

 limbs of the maple ; the rose beneath puts on its 

 emerald gems, and then our gallant sir will wear 

 such colours too, fluttering through all its summer's 



