TREES, INDIGENOUS AND EXOTIC. 89 



end of Cap St. Jean, between Villefranche and 

 Beaulieu, is called " Fraxinet." This looks as if the 

 Ash had once grown there, but none are now seen on 

 the promontory. This term "Fraxinet" seems to 

 have been applied to several of the Moorish strong- 

 holds. There is, for instance, the great central 

 fastness of Freinet (formerly written Fraxinet) in the 

 Montagnes des Maures. Here, again, there are no 

 traces of Ash trees, so that the etymology must 

 appear doubtful. That the Ash can flourish on the 

 Riviera is proved by the magnificent old tree in the 

 centre of the town of Vence. More than half the 

 boughs of this giant have been cut away, but the part 

 which still remains is an ornament to the place. 



The Flowering Ash (Fraxinus Ornm), producing 

 the manna of Commerce in Calabria, is plentiful on 

 this part of the coast. It is a modest little tree, which 

 one easily passes by without notice until it attracts 

 attention by its elegant feathery white inflorescence. 

 The four strap-shaped petals seem at first sight to be 

 distinct one from the other. If this were really the 

 case, the tree would form an exception to the rule of 

 its order, which is sympetalous ; for the petals of 

 Privet, Jasmine, Lilac, and Olive are connate. But 

 the corolla of the Ornus is truly sympetalous, for the 

 petals are joined at the base. 



The Negundo Maple (Acer Negundo) is met with 

 here and there by the roadside and in gardens. It is 

 easily known by the light green pinnate leaf, and by 

 the shape of the samara. 



The Linden ( Tilia) does not prosper as well here 

 as in the North ; but it is said to ripen its seeds, 

 which is rarely the case in England. Large quantities 



