Engl. Bot. t. 723. — Ilonk. FI. Bond. 1. 17. — Hunt. Evel. Silva, p. 220, with a 
plate.— Linn. Sp. PI. p. 1417.— Muds. FI.Angl. (2nded.) p. 423.— Wild. Sp. PI; 
y. lv. pt. x. p. 470. — Sm. FI. Brit. v. iii. p. 1030.; Engl. FI. v.iv. p. 137.- With. 
(7th edit.) v. ii. p. 491. — I.indl. Svn. p. 240. — Hook. Biit. FI. p 410. — Macr. 
Man. Brit. Bot. p. 217.— Loud. Arb. et Frutic. Brit. p. 2017. f. 1941.— Lighlf. 
FI. Scot. v. ii. p. 586.— Sibth. FI. Oxon. p. 127-Abbot’s Kl. Bedf. p. 211. — 
Davies’ Welsh Bot. p.90.— l'uit. Midi. H. v. ii. p. 465. — Belli. H. ('ant. (3rd 
edit.) p.396. — Hook. FI. Scot. p. 275.— Grev. FI. Kdin. p. 204. — Kent’s Sylvan 
Sketches, p 154. — FI. Devon, pp. 156 & 133. — Johnst. FI. Betw. v. i. p. 208. — 
Winch’s Fi. ot Northumb. A Durh. p. 62. — Walker’s Fi. of Oxf p. 284. — Bab. 
FI. Bath. p. 46. — Dick. FI. Abred. p. 56. — Irv. Lond. FI. p. 114. — Luxf. Reig. 
FI. p. 82.— Cow. FI. Guide, p. 28,-Mack. Catal. PI. Irel. p 83.; FI. Hibern. 
p. 256. — Corylus sylvestris, Ray’s Syn. p. 439. — Johns. Gerarde, p. 1438. — 
Gray’s Nat. Arr. v. ii. p 246. 
Localities. — In woods, copses, and hedges; very common. 
Shrub or low Tree — Flowers in March and April, 
A large shrub, with numerous stems rising from the root ; or a 
small bushy tree, with copious branches, which are hairy, or glan- 
dular, when young. Bark ash-coloured, and sometimes cloven, on 
the trunk; bright brown, and frequently spotted with white, on the 
branches. Leaves alternate, on short petioles, roundish, 2 or 3 in- 
ches wide, doubly serrated, darkish green, and slightly hairy above, 
paler, and more downy beneath. Sterile Catkins (fig. 1.) terminal, 
clustered, from 1 to 2 inches long, pendulous, greyish, opening in 
the early Spring, before the leaves appear. Fertile Flowers (see 
fig. 3.) in small, scaly, bud-like involucrums, their crimson stigmas 
protruding, in a tuft, at the summit. Nuts 2 or 3 together, sessile, 
roundish egg-shaped, about half covered by the greatly enlarged, 
jagged, permanent, outer calyx of their respective flowers. 
Some suppose the Filbert to be a variety of the Common Hazel, but Sir 
J . E. Smith was of a different opinion, and considered the forms and proportions 
of the calyx of the fiuit to indicate distinct species, permanent from seed. 
As an underwood, the Hazel is valuable for making hoops, crates, hurdles, 
wattles, walking-sticks, fishing-rods, whip-handles, ties for fagots, springes to 
catch birds, and for fastening down thatch. Hazel rods, cut as nearly as possi- 
ble of the same size, and varnished, form an admirable matetial for constructing 
rustic garden seats, flower-baskets, Ac. (See Mr. Loudon’s Arb. et Frutic. 
Brit. pp. 2023, 2024, and 2025 ; and his Gard. Mag. v. ix. pp. 615 and 678). 
The roots, when they are of sufficient size, afford curiously veined pieces, which 
are used in veneering cabinets, tea-chests, Ac. The wood makes an excellent 
charcoal, which is preferred by painters and engravers, for the freedom with which 
it draws, and the readiness with which its marks can be rubbed out. It is a 
practice in Italy to put the chips of Hazel into turbid wine, to clear it, which it 
does in 24 hours; and in countries where yeast is scarce, the twigs of Hazel 
twisted together, so as to be full of chinks, and steeped in ale during its fermen- 
tation, then hung up to dry, may be put into wort instead of yeast. It is of the 
young twigs of this plant that the celebrated divining rod, for the detecting, and 
finding out of minerals, is taken. Even within these few years it has been very 
positively affirmed that the rod, when held in the hands of certain persons, will 
discover the presence of water ; and it is remarked as extraordinary, that no effect 
is produced at a well or ditch, or w here earth does not interpose between the 
twig and the water. See Quarterly Review, vol. xxii. pp. 373 5c 374. — The 
kernels of the fruit (see fig. 6, b.) have a mild, farinaceous, oily taste, agreeable 
to most palates, though in large quantities they appear to be difficult of digestion, 
and have sometimes produced alarming symptoms. In the Highlands of Scot- 
land the tree is considered of ill omen, but the finding of two nuts naturally con- 
joined highly felicitous. These they call Cnb-chomhlaich , and carry them as 
an efficacious charm against witchcraft. For an account of the many parasitical 
lungi that are to be found on this tree, as well as for the insects that feed upon it 
and its fruit, with many interesting particulars relating to its History, Geography, 
&c. Ac., see Mr. Loudon’s Arb, et Frutic. Brit. pp*‘2016 to 2028. 
