THE HAWTHORN 51 



as indicated by the scientific name, only one carpel. 

 The fruits of these two forms can be distinguished at 

 a glance, by haYiiig either several styles, or only a 

 single one, projecting, like a little thread, from the 

 opening surrounded by the withered calyx. Occasion- 

 ally, however, some fruits of one type may be found, 

 on a tree bearing mainly those of the other. Other 

 forms have yellow, black, greenish orange, or dull 

 white fruits, whilst everyone knows the varieties with 

 double pink or scarlet flowers. Most people, too, 

 must have heard of the celebrated Glastonbury Thorn, 

 reputed to have sprung from the staff of St. Joseph of 

 Arimathsea, planted on Wearyall Hill at Glastonbury, 

 which blossoms early in the year, and sometimes as 

 early as Old Christmas Day, January 6 th, besides 

 flowering later in the spring. Botanists term this 

 variety praicox ; and the same occurrence is not 

 unknown in other plants. 



The Thorn may be propagated either by seed or 

 by cuttings, from which last-mentioned fact it gets 

 its name of " Quickset." 



Under its various names ol Albespeine, Whitethorn, 

 Hawthorn, May, and Quickset, this tree must always 

 have been a favourite with all lovers of the country. 

 It was formerly regarded as the emblem of hope, and 

 was carried by the ancient Greeks in their wedding 

 processions, and used to deck the altar of Hymen. Its 

 symbolism has, however, undergone a change, prob- 

 ably owing to the mediaeval belief which is so 

 quaintly told by Sir John Maundeville : — 



"Then," he writes, " was our Lord yled into a gardyn, and there 

 the Jews scorned hym, and maden hym a crown of the branches of 



