300 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



appearance of my vivid crimson styles in March ? My 

 sister has spoken of her oneness with birds and butterflies,, 

 and such flowers as come up in April ; but I herald the 

 coltsfoot and vernal speedwell, and call forth the slumber- 

 ing bee from out her hive. 



My frequent growing-place is a hedge or coppice-wood, 

 because my wood is in great request for charcoal. It is 

 used also for fishing-rods and walking-sticks, for crates 

 and barrel-hoops, and my shoots are preferred for springles 

 to fasten thatch on cottage-roofs or ricks. In Kent and 

 Surrey, and many southern parts of England, where sheep- 

 walks extend for miles, my tribe supply the farmer with 

 folding hurdles, and my roots are preferred for inlaying 

 and staining. My chips, even, are used in Italy for clearing 

 turbid wine ; and in countries where yeast is scarce, my 

 twigs, slightly twisted together, and steeped in ale during 

 its fermentation, and then hung up to dry, become a sub- 

 stitute for yeast. Painters and engravers well know my 

 value : they prepare from me coals for delineating their 



