436 ULMUS. [CLASS V. ORDEU If. 



the upper surface rough, wiih short rigid points, the under paler, and 

 scattered over with pale hairs, more abundant at the axilla of the mid- 

 rib, and prominent almost slraifjlit lateral veins. Flmrers in rather loose 

 tufts before the leaves appear, bursting through a numerous scaly bud, 

 each flower on a very short footstalk, smooth, or sometimes slightly 

 hairy. Perianth of one piece, the limb mostly of five ovate segments, 

 of a pinkish colour. Filaments long, with purple ovate two celled 

 anthers. Stigmas short. Capsule roundish oblong, of a pale yellowish 

 green, scarcely notched at the apex, and in the centre is the ovate pule 

 brown smooth single seeded cell. 



Habitat. — Groves and hedges ; frequent. 



Tree; flowering in March. 



This species is readily distinguished by its large size, spreading or 

 drooping brandies and broad leaves. It is, Professor Henslow remarks , 

 perhaps the only true indigenous species. It is common in Scotland, 

 and seems without doubt to be wild. Many varieties of it are obtained 

 by cultivation ; and, according to Lindley, the Giant Elm and the 

 Chichester Elm of the nurseries arc varieties; and he says this species 

 is often confounded by foreign botanists with U. pedunculata, a totally 

 difl'erent species, not found in England. It is very nearly related to 

 the U. rubra of North America, from which it can be scarcely distin- 

 guished by the leaves. 



This is perhaps the most ornamental and most generally used of our 

 species of elm ; it is of more rapid growth, and obtains a more portly 

 size than the others, rendering it better suited for ornamental scenery 

 in parks, the formation of groves, shady walks, &c. ; and how many 

 of our early associations are connected with the pleasures or the sorrows 

 of scenes over-shadowed by the old elm tree ; and what volumes of 

 ever hidden history do their pendant branches sometimes adumbrate; 

 for 



" Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree's shade, 



Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap. 

 Each in his narrow ceil for ever laid, 



The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." Gray. 



But it is not only with griefs and sorrows that the noble elm combines, 



for 



" How blithesome were we wont to rove 

 By verdant hill or shady grove, 

 Where fervent bees, with humming voice. 

 Around the honey'd oak rejoice, 

 And aged elms with awful bend, 

 In long cathedral walks extend !" Blacksione. 



These, however, are only its ornamental purposes ; but perhaps 

 there are not any other of our native trees, independent of its wood, 

 that have been applied to so many uses. The spongy cuticle of 

 some of the species is similar to that of the Quercus sub^; or cork oak, 



