62 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



and cheese, to defend them from mice. The young 

 shoots gathered in spiing are sometimes eaten by the 

 poor, in the manner of asparagus. 



When planted under trees and shrubs, it spreads into 

 large clumps, and retaining the leaves all the winter, has 

 a good effect. 



The thick leaved species, Ruscus hypojphyllus^ is a 

 native of Italy and of Africa; it flowers in May and 

 June : the double leaved, Ruscus hypoglossus, with pale 

 yellow flowers, is in blossom a month earlier ; it grows 

 naturally in Italy, Hungary, and Africa. 



The branches of these shrubs in winter, Avhen laden 

 with the ripe red berries, are very handsome ; they keep 

 fresh a long time in water, and w^ere formerly much 

 used to adorn chimney-pieces, &c. 



