136 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



Crosbie Ravenswaith, and there called heg- 

 berrie tree : it groweth likewise in Martome 

 Parke, fower miles from Blackburne, and in 

 Harward, neere thereunto ; in Lancashire 

 almost in euerie hedge." It is also a native of 

 most parts of Europe, in woods and hedges, 

 and is frequently to be seen in the northern 

 and temperate parts of Russia, and all Siberia, 

 and it is common to the woods of Scotland. 



The bird cherry rises from ten to fifteen 

 feet in height, spreading its branches to a 

 considerable distance, which are covered with 

 a purplish bark. Neither its branches or 

 leaves are numerous, therefore almost any 

 plant will grow beneath it ; and we love to 

 see its stem rise out of a clump of juniper or 

 any dwarf evergreens over which its long 

 loose pendent bunches of white flowers hang 

 with peculiar airiness and grace in the months 

 of April and May. Its black fruit, which hang 

 in bunches like currants, have also a pleasing 

 effect in the month of August, and the yel- 

 lowish green of its ovate-lanceolate foliage is 

 not less pleasing when contrasted by darker 

 tints. Although the fruit is nauseous to the 

 taste, it gives an agreeable flavour to brandy, 

 and many persons add it for the same reason 

 to their made wines. The wood is tough and 

 smooth, and used for whip and knife handles. 



