226 TYPES OF BRITISH PLANTS 
bark will complete the evidence if the tree is full-sized, 
but when it is only, say, one foot in diameter, this is not 
to be depended on as a means of identification. 
The Beech is marked by the smooth bark of its trunk, 
and the clean, spreading limbs that are flung boldly out 
on either side. The leaves, smooth and very slightly 
scalloped between the lateral veins, put on most gorgeous 
colours in autumn, and a walk in October through Burn- 
ham Beeches can almost compensate for the loss of 
Canada’s Indian summer. In winter one may find at the 
foot the bristling husk which hides the smooth, brown, 
three-sided seeds. 
The Ash has one most striking and curious feature 
which it is useful to remember. The lower branches, 
after leaving the trunk, usually approach the earth, but 
at their extremity bend up to the. sky again, following 
the outline of a curved pipe. With this clue, and remem- 
bering the thickness of the twigs, you will recognise 
the ash even without the aid of the compound leaf, with 
its seven or nine leaflets, or the tufts of winged seed- 
vessels, known as “keys,’ which often remain on the 
boughs until the following spring. You will not be 
surprised, if you compare the two carefully in their 
general way of growth, to know that the common lilac 
of the shrubberies is a close relation of the ash. The 
Mountain Ash is not really a relation at all, but is only 
another example of the misleading nature of many of our 
popular names. It is really of the same family as the 
pears and the apples, but the leaves are very like those 
of the Common Ash at first sight, and not very much 
attention used to be paid to the flowers. Its coral-red 
berries mark it out when the leaves and large flat heads 
of white flowers have fallen away. 
