LEAVES AND FRUITS OF COMMON BUCKTHORN. 



HOW TO KNOW THE SHRUBS 

 GROWING IN BRITAIN— II 



With Notes, descriptive and photographic, for their Ideatification 

 in all Seasons of the Year 



By HENRY IRVING 



THE SPINDLE-TREE AND THE 

 BUCKTHORNS 



THE Spindle-tree, as its name indi- 

 cates, may attain to the distinction 

 of a small tree, but its usual habit 

 is that of a shrub merely. Its name 

 dates back to the time of the universal 

 spinning-wheel, when its wood was chiefly 

 utilised in the manufacture of spindles. 

 For the greater part of the year it claims 

 little attention, being generally mistaken, 

 through casual observation, for the more 

 familiar Privet. But with the coming of 

 autumn there can be no such lack of 

 regard. With the fading of the leaves the 

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handsome four-chambered fruit takes on 

 its special colouring of rosy pink, deepen- 

 ing and brightening as the leaves fall away 

 till the bush is all aglow, conspicuous from 

 afar. 



One of the pleasantest surprises, with 

 the increasing grcyness of tlie shortening 

 davs, is to come suddenly upon a vSpindle- 

 tree. leafless, but crowded with what might 

 seem to be an array of lovely wa.xen flowers. 

 This fancy is only more assured by closer 

 inspection. Each fruit hangs gracefully 

 suspended by a slender stalk, and the 



