170 
THE STRAWBERRY TREE. 
“ The leafy Arbute spreads 
A show of blossoms, and on every bough 
Its vermeil fruitage glitters to the sun.” 
The Arbutus is a great ornament to our shrubberies 
at a time when tbey begin to lose their Summer 
dress. This is one of the few trees on which 
“ fruits and blossoms blush 
In social sweetness on the self-same bough.” 
Exceedingly beautiful are its délicate clustered 
bells, and rich crimson fruit, whilst the contrast 
they présent is very striking. 
It is a native of many parts of Europe, and 
grows commonly in Ireland, wbere it attains consi¬ 
dérable size. Travellers speak of it as gracing the 
lovely scenery of the lakes of Killarney. The Irish 
make boxes and other small articles of its wood, 
which they here offer for sale ; not failing to assure 
visitors that every stranger carries with him from 
