ICOSANDRIA. FENTAGYNIA. Mespilus. 599 
M. german'ica. Leaves spear-shaped, downy underneath: flowers so¬ 
litary, sessile, terminal. 
feet in circumference, the other three. A flattering representation of this remarkable tree 
appears in Jones’s very elegant work, (t Edinburgh Illustrated.” Phillips justly remarks 
that “ the garland of Flora does not possess a more charming blossom than this British 
hedge beauty; nor do the most luxuriant spices of Asia yield a more grateful perfume than 
this flowering shrub.” Before the Christian era, according to Diodorus, the Troglodites 
adorned the funeral obsequies of their parents with branches of Hawthorn, as a joyful em¬ 
blem of their lively faith that death was indeed the janua vita ?, having passed through 
which they should never again be separated. It was appropiated to the nuptial chaplets of 
Athenian maidens, and composed the fasces nuptiarum of the Romans : nor did our ancestors 
omit with it to decorate the May-pole on their Floral festival. In fact, whether the Haw¬ 
thorn be permitted to live its century in wild luxuriance, attaining to the height of twenty or 
thirty feet, or be destined to submit to disfigurement and degradation in the more immediate 
service of man, it equally merits our regard. The standard tree, whether we view its 
flowers in the spring, its foliage in the summer, or its fruit in the autumn and winter, is 
one of the most ornamental plants placed singly, that can be scattered over a park or lawn . 
“ In pearls and rubies rich the Hawthorns show. 
While through the ice the crimson berries glow.” Philips. 
Nothing can exceed its loveliness in such situations during the months of May and 
June : especially as displayed in the natural glades of our extensive forests, or combined 
with park scenery as at Woburn, Bedfordshire ; Eastwell, Kent, &c., where each bush at 
early morn, or eventide, bathed in nectareous dews, fills the circumambient air with most 
refreshing odours, and, in general effect, almost rivals the Hesperian groves. Nor should 
the Thorn or Quick be slighted in its more abject condition, where 
‘‘Fringing the forests devious edge. 
Half rob’d appears the Hawthorn hedge ; 
Or to the distant eye displays 
Weakly green its budding sprays.” 
But nowhere is this too generally despised tree observed to more advantage, or at least 
connected with more interesting associations, than when situated on the village green ; 
where it may, for successive generations, have distinguished the arena of rural sports, and 
conferred a zest on many a passing event. 
“ The Hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, 
For talking age and whispering lovers made.” 
Adjacent to which should ever be seen the aspiring May-pole, decked with garlands of the 
choicest flowers ; and which, even though originating in pagan rites, is worthy of being 
perpetuated through more enlightened generations, as the focus of joyous attraction, health¬ 
ful exercise, and innocent amusement; preserving a happy medium between morbid refine¬ 
ment and gross sensuality : or further afield, 
“ Where every shepherd tells his tale. 
Under the Hawthorn in the dale ; ” . 
Or as the oft-frequented “ trysting tree ” so emphatically described by the impassioned poet, 
“ If heaven a draught of heavenly pleasure spare, 
One cordial in this melancholy vale, 
’Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair 
In other’s arms breathe out the tender tale 
Beneath the milk-white Thorn that scents the evening gale.” 
A very correct naturalist has observed, that few plants deviate from their stated season 
of blossoming so little as the Hawthorn ; being, in a long course of years, neither allured 
by the blandishment of the most seductive April, nor materially retarded even by “ Chill 
Winter lingering in the lap of May.” 
The common Hawthorn sports in the following varieties: the large scarlet Hawthorn ; 
