44 
FLORA OF FORFARSHIRE. 
greatest perfection, when its spiny branches are perfectly 
loaded with blossoms ; but it flowers at all seasons, and it> is 
not uncommon to see its cheerful bloom peeping from the 
deep snow of mid-winter. 
It is plentiful on the Sands of Barrie, and in early sum- 
mer the sheep and cattle eat the young shoots, and trim 
the plants into beautifully rounded forms, as if they had been 
prepared by the hands of a Dutch gardener, to ornament his 
geometrical parterre. 
M. nanus , Forst. Dwarf Furze. H. 74, B. 69. — F. 
Autumn. S. 
Forfarshire, Mr G. Don ; but no station is given. 
Genista, L. Green-weed. 
Br. sp. and v. 4. F. 1. 
G. Anglica , L. Needle Green-weed, or Petty Whin. H. 
74, B. 70. — F. May, June. S, 
Frequent on heaths throughout the county. 
Cytisus, L. Broom. 
Br. sp. 1. F. 1. 
C. scoparius, DC. Common Broom. F. 75, B. 69. — 
F. Mar. June. S. ( Spartium , L. Genista , Lam. iSaro- 
thamnus, Wimm.) 
Abundant on the lower hills, in woods, on moors, and on 
the sea-coast. 
There are many pleasing associations that the “ lang yel- 
low broom” awakens in the mind ; but to the lover of Flora, 
perhaps one of the dearest is the remembrance that the gor- 
geous luxuriance of its golden blossoms so enraptured the 
illustrious Linnaeus, when he first beheld it in profusion , on 
his visit to England, that he fell down upon his knees in an 
ecstasy of pleasure, to enjoy such a glorious sight. And as 
the mind of that eminent naturalist was endued with a deep 
sense of the goodness of his Creator, we cannot doubt but 
that he then breathed a prayer of gratitude to the benevo- 
lent Being who had furnished him with the gratifying spec- 
tacle. 
