398 



FKAXIMS AMKlllCANA. 



8. F. A. jroLANniFoi.iA. Wttlinil-lciin'd Anotrimn Ash ; Fra.rinus viridis, of 

 Mifluiiix : Pni.ri/iifs jii L;/'t/if/i(i//i(i. i){ \)it[]. Loudon, and ollicrs: Frhic. a feiiWes 

 de tiuijrr, I-^viu' nrt. o\ [\\v Fn-iirli ; (irirn Ash, ol' tin; Ai)ylu-Amcricaiis 

 tree, in its natural habitat, usually attains a 

 lu'ii^lil of twenty-five or thirty feet, with a trunk 

 foiu" or tivf iuflios in (lianirt(^r: hut in a state 

 of iMiliivalioii, it has cxci'etlt'd niorf than double 

 of these dimensions. It is easily recognized by 

 the brilliant green colour of its yoiuig leaves ; 

 and by its leaves being nearly of the same col- 

 our on both surfaces. From this uniformity, 

 which is rarely observed in the foliage of trees, 

 Dr. Miihlenberg applied the specific name, con- 

 color ; and Michau.x gave this tree the popular 

 name of the "Green Ash." The branches are 

 glabrous, and, like the buds, are of a grayish- 

 brown. The leaves vary in length from six to 

 fifteen inches, with from two to four pairs of 

 leafiets, and an odd one, according to the vig- 

 our of the tree, and to the coolness of the soil in 

 which it grows. The leaflets, which are about 

 three inches long, are membranous, glabrous, but not shming, sometimes cancs- 

 cent or glaucous beneath, downy in the axils of the veins, stalked, elliptic-lanceo- 

 late, distinctly denticulated, with glabrous petioles. The flowers, which put 

 forth in May, occur in peudidous corymbs, and are succeeded by linear samarae, 

 similar in form to those of the white ash, but only about one half as large. 'I'his 

 variety is a native of wet, shady woods, from Canada to Carolina; but is more 

 common in the western parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, than in 

 any other sections of the United States. It is also foiuid in abundance on the 

 banks of the Monongahela and of the Ohio. Its wood is distinguished by similar 

 properties as that of the other trees of the genus, and is applied, in the regions 

 where it abounds, to similar purposes; but as the white ash and the brown- 

 hearted variety arc more common where it grows, which are much superior in 

 size, the green ash is only incidentally employed. It was introduced into Britain 

 in 1724, where it is only considered as an ornamental tree. The finest specimen, 

 probably existing in the known world, is on Pope's Villa, at Twickenham, in 

 England, which has attained a height of nearly seventy feet, with a trunk three 

 feet in diameter, and an ambitus or spread of branches as great as its height. 

 This splendid tree, which retains its foliage until Christmas, flowers, but never 

 matures its seeds. This variety was introduced into France in 177.5, and is cul- 

 tivated for ornament in many of the European gardens and collections. 



9. F. A. JUGLANDIFOLIA suBSERRATA. WiUdcuow. SUglitly-toothed Walnnt- 

 leaved American Ash. 



10. F. A. CAROLiNiANA. Carolina Ash; Fraxinus platycarpa^ of Michaux; 

 Fraxbms caroUniana, of Don, Loudon, and others; Frene da la Caroline, of the 

 French. This is a very remarkable variety, readily distinguished by the large 

 size of its leaflets, which are nearly round, but acuminated, petiolate, serrated, 

 glabrous and shining above, and seldom consists of more than two pairs of leaf- 

 lets, with an odd one. In spring, the lower surface of the leaves, and the young 

 shoots, are covered with down^ which disappears as the summer advances. The 

 stature of this tree seldom exceeds thirty feet ; and it often flowers and fruits at 

 half of this height. The branches are glabrous, and, like the buds, are of a 

 brownish hue. The flowers, which put forth in May, as in the other varieties, 

 are small, and not very conspicuous. They are succeeded by samarse which are 



