146 THE HAWTHORN. 



therefore, comes from a pleasant tradition derived from 

 England, through the literature of that country, where it 

 is- known by the name of May-bush, from its connection 

 with the floral festivities of May. The May-pole of the 

 south of England is always garlanded with its flowers, 

 as crosses are with hoUy at Christmas. The Hawthorn 

 is well known ia this country, though unassociated with 

 any of our rural customs. Many of its species are in- 

 digenous in America, and surpass those of Europe in the 

 beauty of their flowers and fruit. They are considered 

 the most ornamental of the small trees in English gar- 

 dens. 



The flowers of the Hawthorn are mostly white, varying 

 in difierent species through all the shades of pink, from 

 a delicate blush-color to a pale crimson. The fruit varies 

 from yellow to scarlet. The leaves are slightly cleft, like 

 those of the oak and the holly. The flowers are pro- 

 duced in great abundance, and emit an agreeable odor, 

 which is supposed by the peasants of Europe to be an 

 antidote to poison. 



