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do it justice. So truly does it breathe of spring, that, 
if he be in a mood to “ find tongues in trees,” it reminds 
him more emphatically, perhaps, than any of its sylvan 
companions, that “ the winter is past, the rain is over 
and gone, die flowers appear on the earth, the time of 
the singing birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is 
heard in our land.” Nor is it only when thus blended 
with heavier trees diat its value is chiefly felt; it may, 
perhaps, even more confidently challenge our admir¬ 
ation when it is seen, as it frequently is, softening the 
rugged features of the north, decorating some rocky 
precipice or mountain torrent. It is, moreover, a beau¬ 
tiful addition to the plantation and pleasure ground, 
where it is very commonly introduced, and always with 
good effect. 
Our native cherries, of which there are but two 
species, Prunus cerasus, and Prunus padus, belong to a 
very comprehensive genus, consisting for the most part 
of cultivated species, which, besides adorning our 
orchards with their blossoms, yield also delicious fruit 
for our table. Apricots, and the various kinds of plums, 
are comprised in this class, as well as the wild and gar¬ 
den cherry. 
The latter was first brought to Rome from Pontus by 
Lucullus, after the Mithridatic war: a cherry-tree, laden 
