272 SYLVA FLOfelFE'RA. 



observes the shape of the five petals, whose 

 concave forms protect the pollen, and mature 

 it by acting as reflectors. He then sees them 

 bend over their chives, and rest their heads of 

 pollen on the stigma, which has some attractive 

 power not yet defined. He is delighted at the 

 regularity and order with which they dis- 

 charge their prolific powder, and retire back 

 to give place to other chives, until the whole 

 have performed their office without confusion. 

 He knows then that the petals have dis- 

 charged their part towards the formation of 

 the future plant, and he sees them given to 

 the wind without regret; because he knows it 

 is necessary for the young fruit to enjoy the 

 juices of the plant, without its being spent 

 any longer on the petals. Thus, 



" The garden yields 



A soft amusement, an humane delight," 



not enjoyed by others, who say, 



" But our attractions are a stronger sort, 

 The earliest dainties and the oldest port." 



The hawthorn is peculiarly adapted for small 

 lawns or paddocks, where larger trees cannot 

 be admitted. When standing singly, it often 

 reaches to the height of twenty-five or thirty 

 feet, with a trunk from four to eight feet in 



