Laurustinus and the Viburnums 



in Latin, Tinus and Laurus sylvestris, and of divers 

 Durillo ; in England wilde Baie." It was known as 

 " Laurus " and " Bay " by old writers, because it was 

 supposed to be near akin to the Sweet Bay, Laurus 

 nobilis, on account of the resemblance of the leaves, but 

 it is not really related, the Laurustinus being a member 

 of the Caprifoliacecz family, and allied to the guelder 

 rose, wayfaring tree and honeysuckle, while the sweet 

 bay is a member of the family Lauracece. It was put 

 in its rightful place among the Viburnums by Linnaeus. 

 The Laurustinus is one of our most charming ever- 

 greens, and all the more a persona grata because it 

 flowers in the dead of winter, with hardly any other shrub 

 in competition. From this fact it was sometimes known 

 in olden times as the " Flower of the Circumcision " 

 Jan. i. 



" Fair tree of winter ! fresh and flowering, 



When all around is dead and dry ; 

 Whose rosy buds, though storms are low'ring, 



Spread their white blossoms to the sky : 

 Green are thy leaves, more purely green 

 Through every changing period seen ; 

 And when the gaudy months are past, . 

 Thy loveliest season is the last." 



(B. Montgomery.') 



In the south vY England or in fairly sheltered places, 

 its flowering season commences in December and runs 

 right on through the winter, March perhaps seeing it 



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