92 THE MOUNTAIN-ASH. 



however in nothing more than both being pinnate. The mountain-ask 

 is a near relative of the apple and pear. Hence we find in its blossoms 

 the rosaceous type of corolla, while the fruit corresponds, in a certain 

 measure, with that of the orchard, though in dimensions little more 

 than a berry. The charming spectacle which the flowers present in 

 May places this tree in the first rank of ornamental ones ; and although 

 for two or three months afterwards it makes no show, the delay is more 

 than compensated by September, when the rich vermilion clusters 

 attract the most incurious. 



" The inoun tain-ash 



No eye can overlook, when 'mid a grove 

 Of yet unfaded trees she lifts her head, 

 Deck'd with autumnal berries, that outshine 

 Spring's richest blossoms." 



These berries, popularly deemed poisonous, are perfectly free from 

 hurtful properties. In the west and north of Scotland they are com- 

 monly converted into jelly for the breakfast-table ; in Siberia likewise 

 they are put to a similar use. When carefully prepared, this jelly has 

 a beautiful tinge of violet in it. 



THE CHESNUT. 



CONCERNING the courtly chesnut it is merely necessary to speak of the 

 differences which keep it distinct from the horse-chesnut, neither of 

 these noble productions of nature being met with in Britain except as 

 ornaments of the park or pleasure-ground. For although the sweet 

 chesnut was introduced as far back as the time of the Romans, and has 

 now become thoroughly at home (except as to the ripening of its fruit) ; 

 it has not, like the elm and sycamore, taken its place in the wood and 

 wilderness. Wherever met with, it is always obviously from the hand 

 of the planter. As for the horse-chesnut, it appears to have been in 

 England only some three centuries. Of the sweet chesnut, Castanea 

 vesca, many magnificent examples occur in different parts, sufficiently 

 venerable to give the perfect idea of "ancient Britons." They are still 

 referable, however, to the origin spoken of. The differences in question 

 are readily enumerated. In the sweet chesnut the leaves are simple 

 and feather- veined : in the horse-chesnut they are septate. The flowers 

 of the latter are produced in superb clusters, every corolla having its 

 whiteness richly broken with patches of gold and crimson : those of the 



