THE SPINDLE TREE. 153 



by those who form specific collections of trees, though 

 it has now been introduced for over two centuries 

 into this country. 



The Spindle Tree, once highly esteemed for 

 spindles, from which it takes its name. It belongs to 

 Tetra-hexandria Monogynia of the Linnaean system, 

 and to Celastracece in the Natural order of plants. As 

 the blossoms of the tree are produced in the beginning 

 of the summer, and resemble the colour of the leaves, 

 they are by no means attractive, but in autumn the 

 seed-vessels appear in great profusion, of the most 

 delicate shades of colour, generally pink or white, and 

 when ripe they expand, and show the seeds of rich 

 yellow. 



The Common Spindle Tree (E. Europceus). This 

 is a hardy tree, very tenacious of life, and grows in 

 soils of various qualities, but flourishes best in a deep 

 rich soil, moderately sheltered, when it will attain a 

 height of from twenty to thirty feet ; though the range 

 of the leading species of the genus may be said to 

 occupy an intermediate station between shrubs and 

 trees ; varying from ten to thirty feet in height ; 

 producing a mass of white fibrous roots, it will stand 

 removing well, when comparatively of large size. 

 It is propagated freely either from layers or seed. 



The Broad-leaved Spindle Tree (E. latifolia). The 

 leaves of this tree are broad and shining, its fruit being 

 also highly ornamental, the plant seldom exceeding 

 twelve or fifteen feet in height, and is perhaps the 

 handsomest tree of the genus. There are also several 

 species of dwarf evergreen shrubs which belong to 

 this genus. 



The Mountain Ash or Rowan Tree (Pyrus aucu- 



