COMMON l\X.—Hedera Helix. 



Cla^s Pentandria. Order Monogynia. Xat. Ord. Araliaceje. 

 Ivy Tribe, 



Few besides the naturalist consider of how 

 much value this plant is both to the song- 

 sters of our woodland, and to the insect 

 world. Among -its boughs the blackbird and 

 the thrush can find shelter for their nests 

 ere bush or tree has a green leaf on its branch, 

 and many a shivering bird retreats thither from 

 the cold blasts of spring and autunni. It is 

 when the hips and haAvs and other A\ild fruits 

 have perished, that the Ivy berries ripen ; and 

 as no frost injures them, they are, dm'ing 

 winter and the early months of spring, the 

 chief food of the Missel-thrush, the Wood- 

 pigeons, and many other birds. The green 

 flowers are useful too ; for, blooming in October 

 and November, when blossoms are scarce, they 

 furnish a ])rovision to millions of insects, Avhicli 

 else must perish ; and tlie latest of our brilhant 

 winged creatures, the Bed Admiral and the 

 Peacock butterflies, yet hover over them on 

 sunny days, sipping thence the nectar by which 

 they are fed. 



