THE LAURELS 



1061 



others have not also been included, as the 

 Magnolia, the Rhododendron and the 

 Arbutus (Strawberry tree), since their leaves 

 are just as (Ustinctly laurel-like as are the 

 others. The ty]ncal shape of the Laurel leaf 

 is that of a more or less broad lance-head, 

 tapering to a point at each extremity. 



None of these plants, with the exception 

 of the Spurge Laurel, can be regarded as 

 native with us. That flourishes abundantly 

 in many of our woods. The others arc cul- 

 ti\ated in gardens, and only rarely are they 

 to be met with in a semi-wild state. 



THE BAY L.\UREL 



This is the poet's Laurel. Since the 

 time of the ancient Greeks this shrub, or 



small tree, has been held in veneration. 

 Its berried twigs, twisted into a wreath 

 or crown, were used to adorn the victors 

 in the Pythean games ; so the Laurel 

 crown came to be regarded as the (hstinc- 

 tive reward of valour or of scholarship. 



With us the Bay is usually a rounded 

 shrub only. It flourishes fairly well in 

 sheltered places in the southern counties, 

 but it can only just withstand our ordinary 

 winters. The last winter, with its excep- 

 tionally Icnv temperatures in these coun- 

 ties, cut down many a cherished Bay tree. 



The leaves of the Bay are alternately 

 arranged on the shoots. Tlieir margins 

 are without teeth. The most noteworthy 

 characteristic of them is their fragrance. 



HAY L.'\LKLL. 



