256 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



layers. Flowers pink, in May. Grows from ten to twenty 

 feet high. 



P. prunifolia. Siberian Crab. This well-known species 

 is a native of Siberia. It is not only ornamental in flower, 

 but in fruit. There are two varieties, one with scarlet, the 

 other with yellow, fruit. The fruit is sometimes used as a 

 preserve, but it is more ornamental than useful. The tree 

 grows fifteen to twenty feet high ; in flower in May. Propa- 

 gated by grafting or budding. 



P. Americana. American Mountain Ash. This shrub, 

 or small tree, has a strong resemblance to the European Moun- 

 tain Ash, but is much more dwarf and bushy. It grows sixteen 

 to twenty feet high. The flowers, which expand early in 

 June, are white. The fruit is first orange, then turns to a 

 bright-scarlet, and very much like the imported species. 



P. aucupana. European Mountain Ash. This is more 

 graceful in its habits than the American species, making quite 

 a handsome tree, of twenty-five or thirty feet in height. The 

 foliage of both kinds is graceful, but this species is the most 

 delicate. The berries are more compact, and produced in 

 great profusion. These constitute the great ornament of the 

 tree. 



Mr. Emerson informs us " that the English Mountain Ash 

 is commonly known in England by the name of Rowan or 

 Roan-tree, and, in some districts, Witchen, and has long been 

 considered of sovereign power against witches and evil spirits, 

 and all their fascinations and spells. For this purpose it was 

 made into walking-sticks, or branches of it were hung about 

 the house or about stables and cow-houses. In a stanza of an 

 ancient song, quoted by the author of ' Sylvan Sketches,' we 

 have : 



( Their spells were vain ; the hags returned 



To the queen in sorrowful mood, 



Crying that witches have no power 



Where there is Roan-tree wood.' 



She adds, ' This last line leads to the true reading of a line 



