DECrDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 22' 



scattered over the outer surface of the tree, and give it a 

 lively appearance. These are succeeded by numerou? 

 bunches of berries, which in autumn turn to a brilliant 

 scarlet, and are then highly ornamental. For the sake of 

 these berries, this tree is a great favorite with birds ; and 

 in Germany it is called the Vogel Beerbaum, i. e. bird's 

 berry tree, and is much used by bird catchers to bait their 

 springs with. 



Twenty-five feet is about the average height of the 

 Mountain ash in this country. Abroad it grows more 

 vigorously ; and in Scotland, where it is best known by the 

 name of the Roan or Rowan tree, it sometimes reaches the 

 altitude of 35 or 40 feet. The lower classes throughout 

 the whole of Britain, for a long time attributed to its 

 branches the power of being a sovereign charm against 

 witches ; and Sir Thomas Lauder informs us that this 

 superstition is still in existence in many parts of the High- 

 lands, as well as in Wales. It is probable that this tree 

 was a great favorite with the Druids ; for it is often seen 

 growing near their ancient mystical circles of stones. The 

 dairymaid, in many parts of England, still preserves the old 

 custom of driving her cows to pasture with a switch of the 

 roan tree, which she believes has the power to shield them 

 from all evil spells.* "Evelyn mentions that it is cus- 

 tomary in Wales to plant this tree in churchyards ; and 

 Miss Kent in her Sylvan Sketches, makes the following 

 remarks : — ' In former times this tree was supposed to be 

 possessed of the property of driving away witches and evil 

 spirits ; and this property is alluded to in one of the stanzas 

 of a very ancient song, called the Laidley Worm of Spin- 

 dlcton's Heughs. 



* Lightfoot, Flora Scotica. 



