THE HAZEL. 



137 



spring, reminding us that though winter, is the 

 season of rest with the vegetable world, that rest 

 is not the sleep of death. Almost before the 

 Snowdrop has ventured to peep out from its icy 

 home, the nut trees are plentifully decorated with 

 their yellow catkins, and if we search very closely, 



FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE OF HAZEL. 



we shall find, towards the end of January, the 

 crimson pistils of the fertile flowers timidly push- 

 ing forth from some of the scaly buds, not less 

 beautiful than the more conspicuous catkins, 

 though scarcely known to any but the all observ- 

 ing botanist. The former, as soon as they have 



