4 COMMON BROOM. 



its wood is hard, and is valuable to the cabinet- 

 maker for veneering. The plant varies much 

 in height, according to the soil and situation 

 on which it grows. When it is found on 

 exposed heaths, it is usually a low shrub ; but 

 when it springs up on some sunny hill-side, or 

 is sheltered by a neighbouring rock or thicket, 

 it is sometimes ten or twelve feet high. It 

 is always an ornamental plant, for when its 

 flowers have passed away, its dark green 

 leaves and twigs remain. Wordsworth well 

 describes it : — 



" Am I not 



In truth a favour'd plant 1 

 On me such bounty summer showers, 

 That I am cover'd o'er with flowers ; 



And when the frost is in the sky, 

 My branches are so fresh and gay, 

 That you might look on me and say — 



' This plant can never die.' " 



