AND ORNAMENTAL TREATMENT. 23 



triacantnos), where not only does the central spine throw out lateral points, but these in turn have 

 smaller spines on them. In some foreign plants the petioles, on the fall of the leaves, harden and 

 become true spines : they are, from their original nature and function, always of simple form. In 

 some few cases leaflets are entirely or partially abortive, and a spine with lateral branches takes 

 their place. The leaf may be spinescent by the hardening of the central nerve, as in the Yucca 

 gloriosa ; or by the prolongation into spines of the nerves of the lateral lobes, as in the Thistles, 

 The sharp points of the Holly ( Ilcix Aquifolium) are also good examples of these foliary spines. 

 The rudimentary leaf-forms, botanically termed bracts or scales, may, as we see in fig. 102, present 

 similar features. In the Alyssum Spinosum the flower stems, on the fall of the blossoms, become 

 hardened into veritable spines : while even the parts of the flower themselves, fugacious as they 

 ordinarily are, are in some examples found to present spinous forms ; thus in some species of 

 Staxhys the calyx is spiny : while in Cuviera the petals develop a thorn-like point. As all the 

 organs of plants, with the exception of the root and seed, are thus capable of being transformed 

 into spinous processes, these spines must be considered rather as a particular development of 

 vegetable growth, than as true organs themselves. 



Though the terms thorn, spine, or prickle are frequently used synonymously, it is more 

 correct to limit the use of the first two to the developments above mentioned, reserving the term 

 prickle for those forms which do not result from the induration of any of the organs of the plant, 

 but are rather of the nature of hairs, differing from them only in being stronger, harder, and of 

 modified form ; prickles, therefore, are usually found upon stems or leaves. A prickle being, as 

 we have seen, but a modified hair, is superficial, and can easily be removed, leaving but a surface 

 scar, as in the Dog Rose (Rosa canina); while a thorn, being a modification of some organic body, 

 is intimately connected with the internal structure, and can only be removed by actual force and 

 rupture of the parts. 



PLATE 11, 



" God made the flowers to beautify 

 The earth, and cheer man's careful mood, 

 And he is happier who has power 

 To gather wisdom from a flower, 

 And wake his heart in every hour 

 To pleasant gratitude." — Wordsworth. 



The brilliant Crocus luteus is one of our favourite cultivated species of Crocus, its brilliant 

 perianth rendering it a very valuable acquisition at a time when there are but few flowers, and 

 those of but pale tint — the delicate white of the Snowdrop — the sulphur yellow of the Primrose. 

 Either the present flower, or an allied and very similar species, was introduced into our gardens 

 during the reign of Elizabeth ; for we find in the description of a Crocus, in the writings of 

 Gerarde, a famous herbalist of that period, that he says — " That pleasant plant, that bringeth 

 forth yellow flowers, was sent unto me from Robinus of Paris." Gerarde was a great lover of rare 

 plants, and had exceptionally good opportunity of acquiring them, as he was the curator of the 

 very fine botanical garden of Lord Burlegh. He wrote a " Catalogue of Trees, Fruits, and 

 Plants," dedicating the first edition (a.d. 1596) to his patron Burlegh, and a second, in 1599, to 

 Sir Walter Raleigh. His prefatory remarks, though quaint in expression, are also so full of genuine 

 appreciation of Nature, that we make no apology for making a quotation from them. He com- 

 mences as follows : — " Any the manifold creatures of God (right honourable, and my singular 

 good lord) that have all in all ages diuersly entertained many excellent wits, and drawn them to 

 the contemplation of the Diuine wisdome, none have prouoked men's studies more, or satisfied 

 their desires so much as plants haue done, and that upon just and worthy causes ; for, if delight 

 may prouoke men's labour, what greater delight is there than to behold the earth apparelled with 

 plants as with a robe of embroidered worke, set with Orient pearles, and garnished with great 

 diuersitie of rare and costly jewels ? If this varietie and perfection of colours may effect the eie, 

 it is such in herbes and flowers, that no Apelles, no Zeuxis ever could, by any art, expresse the like; 

 if odours or if taste may worke satisfaction, they are both so soueraigne in plants, and so com- 

 fortable, that no confection of the Apothecaries can equall their excellent vertue. But these 

 delights are in the outward senses : the principal delight is in the mind, singularly enriched with 

 the knowledge of these uisible things, setting forth to vs the inuisible wisdome and admirable 

 workmanship of almighty God. The delight is great, but the vse greater, and ioyned often with 

 necessitie. In the first ages of the world they were the ordinary meate of men, and have con- 

 tinued euer since of necessary vse, both for meates to maintaine life, and for medicine to recover 

 health." 



