THE WONDERS OF VEGETATION. 59 



watery particles evaporate, and its taste becomes even 

 insipid and not at all appetizing. 



This tree (Fraximus ornus) belongs to the same 

 genus as the common ash, and is a native of Sicily and 

 the south of Italy. Its normal height is 20 feet ; at 

 first view it might be taken for a young elm, but the 

 appearance of the leaves clearly mark it as a differ- 

 ent species. There are three varieties known ; the 

 leaves of the first are long and straight like peach 

 leaves ; those of the second resemble the leaves of 

 the rose, while on the third variety they partake of 

 the appearance of both the former. 



The manna of Calabria is highly esteemed, and 

 the most renowned kind grown there is that from the 

 gardens of (Enotria. A popular tradition exists in 

 the district to the effect" that the kings of Naples 

 having intended to enclose these gardens in order to 

 raise a tax from the cultivation of manna, the latter 

 suddenly ceased to flow, as if the trees had been 

 struck with sterility, and they remained in this con- 

 dition until the unjust impost had been removed. 



It need hardly be added that the manna of the 

 Israelites was in no way connected with the ash-tree 

 of our day. What is now called manna by the Arab, 

 is a gum from the tarfa or tamarisk shrub (Tamarix 

 gattica), and the real manna of the Israelites has never 

 yet been ascertained. 



It is, however, by no means necessary for us to go 

 to far distant lands in order to see what marvels na- 

 ture .displays by means of the simple sap which rest- 

 lessly moves, like the blood of man, through every 



