Thorn, 
Crategqus cocmea. Naturat Orver: Rosacee—Rose Family. 
A; ROWING usually in dense thickets on the borders of a wood- 
= land, or beside some creek or stream, may be found the vari- 
ous species of the Thorn, there being numerous varieties 
indigenous to the American continent. In height the trees 
or shrubs are from eight to twenty-five feet, and add much 
“ to the glory of the woods when they are covered by their 
ye 
& 
abundant bloom in early summer. The flowers are white, and appear 
ao) in generous clusters. The fruit, when ripe, in autumn, is mostly 
(unas ee scarlet in color, though sometimes yellowish, and in a few individual 
rc a eh me kinds is both pleasant flavored and edible. The branches are pro- 
(eo) | ; : face 
fief vided with many thorns, from which the common synonym is derived. 
i In some parts of the country the lower-growing ones are used as 
hedges, but not so noticeably as in England, where many fields are 
protected by them. The wood is strong and durable. 
Dilticutty. 
EWARE of desperate steps! the darkest day, 
Live till to-morrow, will have passed away. 
— Cowper. 
S one who, journeying, checks the rein in haste, As such a one, being brought to sudden stand, 
Because a chasm doth yawn across his way, Doubts all his foregone path if ’t were true, 
Too wide for leaping, and too steeply faced And turns to this and then to the other hand 
For climber to essay — As knowing not what to do. —ean Ingelow. 
AIN would I stop to, remove from thy way 
Stones that have bruised me, and thorns that have grieved; 
Set up my errors for waymarks, to say, 
Here 1 was wounded, ensnared, or deceived. 
--Dora Greenwell. 
HICH way? which way?—his eyes grew dim Half choked in the lashing spray: 
With the dizzying whirl,— which way to swim? Life is sweet, and the grave is grim,— 
The thunderous downshoot deafened him; Which way? which way? 
—Christina G. Rossetti. 
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