CHAPTER XXI 



WINTER FOLIAGE 



IT is naturally in the winter-time that evergreens 

 are most conspicuous. For though, as old Gerard 

 says, they " groweth greene both summer and winter," 

 yet during the summer months their dark, rich foliage 

 is merged in the prevailing wealth of verdure. But as 

 the season advances, and the autumnal gales sweep 

 bare the branches of deciduous trees, then do our ever- 

 green species show themselves in their full pride and 

 glory. The beauty of a winter landscape owes a great 

 deal to its yews and hollies and ivy and Scotch firs. 

 But besides these familiar species the British flora can 

 boast of nearly thirty kinds of indigenous evergreens. 

 Nearly half of these, it is true, belong to the Ericacea, or 

 heath-family, and, except the common heath, the cow- 

 berry and the cranberry, are comparatively rare or con- 

 fined to a few localities. Still, the bearberry is not un- 

 common in Scotland, where also the marsh Andromeda, 

 the trailing Azalea and perhaps the blue Menziesia 

 may be found. Ireland, too, can claim the beautiful 

 Arbutus or strawberry-tree, which is said to be abund- 

 ant in the neighbourhood of the Lakes of Killarney, and 

 St Dabeoc's heath, which flourishes in many bogs in 

 Connemara and Mayo. 



In addition, however, to these rare or local species, 

 our woods and forests in England, and even our humble 



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