THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 117 



wood, while "service berry" is apparently imported since this 

 name does duty in the Old World for Sorbus doniestica. The 

 word "service" seems to have been derived a long time ago 

 from the Latin generic name Sorbus now borne by the moun- 

 tain ashes, near relatives of the Amelanchiers. The fruits were 

 originally called scr-Z'es, that is, services berries. 



The mountain ash genus is common to both Europe and 

 America and the species are so much alike in appearance that 

 European names have been freely applied to our species. We 

 commonly speak of our plants as "mountain ashes," from the 

 shape of their leaves like those of the common ash, but in 

 Europe "rowantree" is preferred and this name is occasionally 

 heard on this side also. It is reputed to have been derived 

 from riina, a charm, since it is well known that the European 

 species anciently shared with the holly, elder, and mistletoe, 

 a reputation for magic qualities. "Witch tree" is therefore 

 naturally one of its appellations while "round-wood" is another 

 form of "rowan wood." The fruit of the American plant is 

 sometimes known as "dogberry," just as many other attrac- 

 tive, but inedible fruits are. By rights, this latter name be- 

 longs to the fruits of the genus Cornus. In view of what 

 has been said under Amelanchier , the name "service tree" ap- 

 plied to this plant must be intelligible. An Indian name for 

 the American species is reported to be moza-mize, hence 

 "missy-moosey" which doubtless represents the attempts of 

 pioneers to follow the Indian rendition. "Elder-leaved moun- 

 tain ash" and "elder-leaved sumach" are other names for the 

 plant which probably have little meaning at present. 



The Aronias are pretty generally called "choke-berries." 

 The name is especially appropriate, as anyone who has tasted 

 the fruits can testify. Thev may also agree that the name of 

 "dogberry" is well applied, if the prefix indicated worthies? 

 qualities. "Choke pear," a name for Aronia arbutifolia. is 



