114 



THE CHEEKY. 



on the mountains at an elevation of a thousand feet above 

 the level of the sea. In congenial soils and situations it 

 rises to the height of seventy or eighty feet, and in Scotland 

 is planted for its timber. In some of the wilder parts 

 of the same country it is as plentiful as the Birch, and 

 propagates itself as freely. 



In a picturesque point of view, its trunk and branches 

 are light and graceful, but not sufficiently concealed by its 



FLOWER OF THE WILD t KERRY. 



scattered and somewhat scanty foliage. In early spring, 

 however, the very deficiency of foliage renders more con- 

 spicuous its beautiful cluster of large flowers ; while, in 

 autumn, the bright crimson hue of its fading leaves irre- 

 sistibly catches the eye, and imparts to the landscape a 

 brilliancy which amply atones for any other defects. 

 Amid mountainous scenery it is often particularly striking, 



