MYRTLE. 97 



grows freely in the neighbourhood of Worth- 

 ing, and does not seem particular as to aspect, 

 as we have observed trees of considerable 

 height covering the east front of a cottage at 

 Lancing, as well as the rectory house at Broad- 

 water. In Worthing we have frequently 

 known it ripen its fruit, and perfect its seed, 

 in a western as well as in a south aspect. 

 These trees are all of the common broad- 

 leaved variety, which is often called the 

 flowering myrtle, because it blossoms more 

 freely in this country than some other varie- 

 ties. But we have seen a fine tree of the 

 rosemary-leaved myrtle, growing in the south 

 front of Mr. Upperton's house, at Sompting, 

 two miles from Worthing, which is annually 

 covered with blossoms. In September 1821, 

 it measured eleven feet in height, and spread 

 ten feet in breadth, the stem near the ground 

 was eighteen inches in girth. This tree for- 

 merly belonged to Mr. Whicher of Petworth, 

 and is known to be considerably upwards of 

 forty years old. The flowers of this variety 

 are smaller, but not less beautiful, than 

 those of the Roman myrtle, as its petals 

 are agreeably proportioned to the size of its 

 foliage. 



We shall pass over the double-flowering 



VOL. II. h 



