THE NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS OF CARNARVONSHIRE. 493 
45. The Cranberry (V. Oxycoccos).—These three species of Vae- 
cinium are plentifully distributed throughout the county, but usually 
at high elevations, although the latter is a frequent occupant of 
marshy ground near sea-level. 
For its delicious fruit the Bilberry is justly prized, which may be 
also said of the Cowberry and Cranberry ; while as ornamental rock 
or border plants the two latter are well worthy of attention. 
46. The Common Heath (rica vulgaris). 
47. The Scottish Heath (Z. cinerea). 
48. The Cross-leaved Heath (2. Tetralix).—Of the three heaths 
just enumerated, two at least have a wide range in Carnarvonshire, 
not unfrequently covering wide tracts of mountain and moor. 
As ornamental plants all the members of this family are commonly 
cultivated ; while in the manufacture of brooms, and as covert on 
exposed ground, they are invaluable. 
OLEACEE (Two Species, belonging to Two Genera). 
49. The Common Ash (Frawxinus excelsior)—Both as an orna- 
mental and valuable timber-producing tree, the ash is well known to 
most people. In landscape decoration it is very valuable, the light- 
ness and airiness of its whole appearance—but more particularly 
when swaying gracefully to the breeze—being a peculiarity that, 
amongst our forest trees, is, perhaps, quite its own. The valuable 
qualities of the timber of the ash consist in its great toughness and 
elasticity, these rendering it well adapted for the construction of 
agricultural implements, for furniture generally, and in the making 
of carts, carriages, and waggons—in fact, for any purpose where 
elasticity and strength is an object. For planting in exposed situa- 
tions, the ash is likewise of great value, which is still further en- 
hanced by its growing well in soils of very opposite qualities. 
Although one of our commonest hedgerow trees, still the ash is 
ill adapted for such a purpose, the numerous rootlets which run 
cluse to the surface and ramify to a wide extent being highly in- 
jurious to crops in their immediate vicinity, while the drip from the 
tree is also more or less deleterious to vegetation beneath its shade, 
50. The Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare).—A useful native 
shrub that attains a height of from 6 ft. to § ft., with linear-lanceo- 
late leaves and terminal panicles of small white and deliciously 
fragrant flowers, which are succeeded by black globular berries. 
As an under shrub for planting beneath the shade and drip of our 
larger woodland trees the privet is almost invaluable, and is for 
