THIS CRAS. 



In Latin, Malus ; in French, Pommier Sauvage, 



203, The Botanical characters are :— The empalement of the flower is of 

 one leaf, cut into five segnnents. The flower consists of five leaves, which 

 expand in the form of a rose, the tails of -which are inserted in the empale- 

 ment. The fruit, which is hollowed about the foot-stalk, is for the most 

 part roundish, and umbeliated at the top ; it is fleshy, and divided into five 

 cells or partitions, in each of which is one oblong- seed. 



204. 1 am not about to recommend the planting, to any 

 extent, of this tree; but I notice it, because it is found in 

 all our woods, and because there are certain uses to which 

 it is put. The timber, which seldom attains a considerable 

 size, is excellent for the cogs of mill-wheels, for heads of 

 beetles, and for some other purposes, where the quality of 

 not being apt to split is required. As an underwood, it is 

 mere fuel, except for the making of walking-sticks and 

 clubs, in which capacities, especially when stout, it is pro- 

 verbially efficient. Allied to these functions is that, cer- 

 tainly more useful, of its super-excellence in the making of 

 what the thrashers call the swingles of flails, it being capable 

 of wearing the stoutest man out, if he ply it well, and 

 during those parts of the year when there is thrashing to 

 do. In Hedges, it is very beautiful in the spring, and also 

 in independent trees ; for, in the month of May, it is a great 

 bush, or a little tree, covered v\ath blossoms as bright as 

 those of the Carnation, and a great deal larger. When the 

 coppices are cut, the Crabs, if they go up in a single stem, 

 are generally left as the Oaks are ; and, in the month of 

 May, the garlands presented by the Crab trees, while the 

 Primroses bespangle the ground beneath, and while the 

 birds are singing all around, certainly give us, altogether. 



