THE HAWTHORN. 



127 



RAMIFICATION. 



Though the Thorn will live anvwhere, its growth is much in- 

 tiuenced bv its position, and differences ot situation have produced 

 two distinct tvpes. N^ hen planted with other trees in a sheltered spot, 

 it becomes an elegant and tree-growing tree, of from 30 to 40 feet 

 in height, with a tairlv straight stem ; the lower boughs are pen- 

 dulous, and slender branches project trom the rounded top. In exposed 

 positions, however, it shows more interesting characteristics. 



The grev stem, knotted and scarred, and bulkv considering the 

 height of the tree, rises from roots which show above the ground. 

 This stem, itself spirallv twisted and rarelv straight, soon ramifies, 

 with a full curve into stout limbs, so modelled that thev stronglv 

 recall the muscular construction ot animal torms. 



Crossing and re-crossing one another, and repeatedlv twisted, thev 

 give off horizontal boughs, much interlaced and varied bv un-looked- 

 for angles and turns in unexpected directions ; these spread trom the 

 stem to a distance that otten exceeds the whole height of the tree. 



