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THE I,ILAC FAMILY. 



HABITATS AND LOCALITIES. 



1. Common Ash-teee — {Frdxinus excelsior.) 



In woods, plantations, and hedgerows, everywhere. Fl. March, 

 April. 



E. B. xxiv. 1692 ; Baxter, v. 382. 



The ash-tree, when without leaves, is immediately known by its black buds, 

 the twigs supporting which are flattened and channelled at the extremity. In old 

 trees, the lower branches, after drooping, curve upwards at the end. Every 

 young part is exceedingly brittle, snapping like a radish, and presenting, in this 

 respect, a remarkable contrast to the willow, which is as tough as a piece of wire. 

 Few trees are bare of leaf for so long a part of their time, the ash being one of 

 the late risers, seldom gi-een all over luitil June, and losing its foliage with the 

 first frost, which often bi-ings down the whole at one fall. Hence we rarely 

 behold in this beautiful tree those gorgeous tints which make most others so 

 charming towards October. The only change the leaves appear to undergo is to 

 curl up as if scorched. The clusters of dry brown fruits, or " ash-keys," remain 

 on the topmost branches until spring, and are highly characteristic. That pic- 

 turesque production of nature, the weeping ash, so charming an ornament for 

 the lawn, is a variety. In the grounds at Withenshaw Hall, the seat of T. W. 

 Tatton, Esq., there is a noble specimen, so perfect and symmetrical as to form a 

 vegetable tent. 



2. Common Privet — {Ligustrum vulgdre.) 



Hedges. Plentiful between Sale and Carrington Moss, but doubt- 

 fully wild. Cotterill Clough, abundant. 



Curtis, ii. 293 ; E. B. xi. 70i ; Baxter, ii. 119. 



The demure white flowers appear plentifully in June, and in favourable situa- 

 tions are followed by beautiful thyrsi of black berries. The latter remain upon 

 the bushes till mid-winter, contrasting finely, in their high polish and deep colour, 

 with the scarlet fruits of the bryony and the wild-rose. No shrub is commoner 

 in the fences of town-gardens. 



Every one knows the delicious lilac, or Sijringa vulgaris, and in it the most 

 perfect example of this family. The name is a Persian one, and in its native 

 country signifies " flower," so that when we say, a " white lilac," it is tantamount 

 to " v,-hite Jlower." The small narrow-leaved species, called empliatically the 

 Persian, or Syringa Persica, bears forcing very well, and hence is a frequent 

 ornament of tlie conservatory soon after winter. The Ornus, or manna-tree, is 

 occasionally seen in shrubberies, together with nn evergreen shrub called 

 Phillyria. 



