SPINDLE-TREE. 299 



her attendant the wry-neck. The linnet, in passing, often 

 lingers to pour forth his little song among my branches, 

 and the early butterfly opens her gaily-tinted wings upon 

 my petals. 



My wood, if cut at the time of flowering, is tough 

 and not easily broken. The watchmaker uses it for 

 cleaning watches, and musical instrument makers for organ- 

 keys. Many a pealing organ, therefore, owes much to 

 my unobtrusive ministry, and the humble spindle-tree 

 aids in perfecting that solemn part of divine service, when 

 warbling voices and strains of music unite in ascribing 

 praise to her Creator. 



Surely I may boast a little of my pedigree, said the 

 hazel-nut. Child am I, collaterally, of a sunny clime : my 

 relatives colonized the neighbourhood of Avellano in Italy, 

 to which they were originally introduced from Pontus, 

 whose name they bore, till changed to Nux Avellana, and 

 afterwards to Corylus Avellana. 



Who does not look with pleasure on the beauteous 



