144 



in order somewhat to clear the ground. When this is done in 

 the Autumn, or gloomy Winter's night, as it generally is, 

 nothing can exceed the grandeur of such a spectacle. At first 

 a mere speck of light is seen, and quivering flames struggle 

 through the heath bushes that are around, but as the flames 

 gather strength from the increase of fuel, they burn vividly, 

 brightening up rock, mountain, and valley with their red and 

 brilliant glare at one time the light diminishes, then again, as 

 a fresh gust of wind catches it, it spreads over the whole 

 prospect brightening and enlarging in its progress roaring 

 and rushing forward the bushes crackling the smoke driven 

 off in clouds until at last the fire expends itself, and all is 

 dark again. 



" O ! 'tis a scene sublime and dire 

 To see a billowy sea of fire 

 Rolline its fierce and flaky food 

 O'er mountains high, and tangled wood," 



O. S. We have only one other species, the Dwarf Furze, which in 

 many places is as common as the above. 



GREENWEED. GENISTA. 

 DYER'S GREENWEED. WOD-WAXEN. Genista tincforia. 



Plate U,fiff. 4. 



In fields, thickets, &c., an upright, branched, thornless 

 plant, one or two feet high, flowering in July and August. 

 Leaves lance-shaped, nearly smooth, and rather distant. Flowers 

 yellow, almost sessile, with a small bract at the base. Pod 

 smooth. Calyx of five nearly equal cuts. The flowers when 

 boiled produce a yellow color, which is used by the dyers to 

 stain woollen yarn with, and for that which is to be afterwards 

 green they prefer it to Weld, (for which see page 85.) 



O. S. Flairy Greenweed, and Needle Greenweed, or Petty Whin, which 

 is not uncommon on heathy ground it is rather thorny, and with prostrate 

 stems. 



CYTISUS. BROOM. 



COMMON BROOM. Cytisus scoparium. 



Plate 11, fig. 5. 



Plant upright, three or four feet high, flowering in June* 

 abundant on heathy and hilly ground. Branches long, straight 



