called the mealy tree (Mehlbaum), from the mealy appearance of the under-side of the leaves. The fruit is small, and rather acid, but not disagreeable when bletted, or in a state of incipient decay, as medlars are eaten. It is not usually eaten by man, but is much relished by birds, squirrels, &c. The beer formerly made from it by fermentation, or the distilled spirit, does not seem to be now known.

The ASPEN is as often found in hedgerows as in woods, but chiefly in damp situations. The leaves are suspended on long flattened stalks, so that—

'When zephyrs wake

The aspen's trembling leaves must shake."

One of the most curious superstitions respecting this tree is that referred by Loudon to the Highlanders, who believe that the cross of Christ was made of it, and that, consequently, it can never rest. Old Gerarde in his quaint manner compares the leaves to women's tongues, for they "seldom cease wagging." Of course women have their revenge, and do not consider Gerarde's book as worthy to be read. Even Sir Walter Scott sinned in the same direction when he wrote

'Oh, woman! in our hours of ease
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade

By the light quivering aspen made."

The ALDER? is found in low swampy woods all over Europe. In such situations it sometimes becomes

1 Populus tremula.

2 Alnus glutinosa.

a considerable tree, but in dry places and on mountain slopes it is but a dwarf shrub. Virgil says that the first boats were built of its wood; and Pliny calls the wood "eternal" for water-pipes and piles for buildings. Evelyn states that the bridge of the

THE ALDER.

Rialto, in Venice, is built on piles of alder wood; and Vitruvius, that the city of Ravenna was erected on alder piles. The Dorset woodmen have a similar

faith in its indestructibility for rafters, as expressed in their adage,

"Thatch me well, and keep me dry,

Heart of oak I will defy."

One of the reasons which have been alleged to account for the absence of large alder-trees is, that the wood is required for so many of the small uses of man, as oak is of the large ones, that they are not allowed to stand long enough to become large trees. It is, nevertheless, certain that the wood is a very useful one for many purposes. There is a little beetle which is very destructive to the wood, and for this reason the "sabots" made of it in France are smoked so as to preserve them. Sir Thomas Lander suggests, that if the logs be immersed in a large hole, dug in a peat-moss, impregnating the water of the hole with a quantity of lime, and left there for a few months, they will be safe from attack. Probably one of the chief uses for alder is the manufacture of charcoal for gunpowder manufactories, it being held in great esteem for that purpose. This use is in harmony with the poet's description

"The rigid alder its stiff image throws

Gloomy and sad, as though it scorned to please :
Emblem of woe, too great to be expressed,

Which broods in silence, and corrodes the breast."

The BUTCHER'S BROOM1 is a most insignifican: little evergreen, often not half a yard in height, and seldom exceeding three feet, and yet it is to be found scattered through woods in different parts of the

Ruscus aculeatus.

country, where it is known also as the knee-holly, or knee-hulver. The Greeks called it by a name which corresponds to "prickly myrtle," for it was known to Greeks and Romans. What are called its leaves are not in reality leaves, though assuming the form and size of myrtle leaves, except in being thicker, and terminating in a sharp prickle. The little, inconspicuous flowers grow from the sides of these leaves, and there the bright red berry is finally perfected. The plant was called butcher's-broom (so it is said) because of the custom of binding it into besoms for sweeping butchers' blocks, and defending their meat from flies.

We might allude also to the Privet and Broom, the Hawthorn, Sloe, and Hedge Maple, but these are more especially plants of the hedgerows. We might write of the beauties peculiar to spring which the delicate green hues of the fresh-opened leaves of the undergrowth impart to the woodlands; of the mellow tints of autumn with its purple and gold; and then conclude, as Longfellow has done

"O what a glory doth this world put on

For him who, with a fervent heart, goes forth
Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks
On duties well performed and days well spent.
For him the wind, ay, and the yellow leaves
Shall have a voice, and give him eloquent teachings.
He shall so hear the solemn hymn, that Death

Has lifted up for all, that he shall go

To his long resting-place without a tear."

CHAPTER IV.

FLOWERS AND GRASSES.

As different plants blossom at different periods of the year, no one can expect to find all woodland flowers at the same time; but in order to become acquainted with them must make separate excursions during spring and summer. Similarly the odours which perfume a wood will vary, as one flower with strong odour will reign supreme over all the rest. When the little woodruff expands its little insignificant white blossoms, the wood will have that peculiar scent which resembles new-mown hay. Others not equally pleasant will predominate at times. Whether in flower or fruit there will ever be sufficient material at hand for study, if the inclinations tend in that direction.

One of the earliest of flowers is

"The coy anemone, that ne'er uncloses

Her leaves until they're blown on by the wind."

The wind flower, or wood anemone, as it is called, is a very delicate little harbinger of spring. The true leaves do not make their appearance until after the flowering is past. The three leaf-like bodies