212 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



evergreen, with large, glossy, pointed leaves, and blossoms 

 very similar to those of the common Laurel. It blossoms 

 in June, and the berries ripen in October. This shrub 

 was brought to England from Portugal ; but whether a 

 native of that, or a plant which had been introduced 

 from some other country, is not certain. The Portuguese 

 call it Azoureiro ; the French, Azai'ero ; the Itahans, 

 Pruno Portoghese, By these names it appeal's, that to 

 whatever country it originally owed its birth, it went to 

 France and Italy, as it came to us,— from Portugal. 



The Kew Catalogue describes it as a native of Por- 

 tugal and Madeha. It was cultivated in England in 

 1722. 



