168 THE ASH-TREE. 



the year 1765, made out the following list of dates. 

 Of course they will vary with the season, a late 

 spring driving all a little forwards, a forward one 

 giving each a little eailier place, but the relative 

 periods will probably be found to vary but slightly. 

 It is with the leafing of trees as with the rise and 

 sweet sheen of the constellations : their places 

 vary with the hour of the night, but they never alter 

 their positions with regard to one another and to 

 the pole-star. Omitting some of the less important 

 trees and shrubs, the following is the list referred 

 to: 



Honeysuckle January 15 



Elder March 11 



Birch April 1 



Bramble 3 



Plum, Apricot, and Peach, about ... 6 



Filbert, Sallow, and Alder, about ... 7 



Sycamore 9 



Small-leaved Elm 10 



Wych-elm 12 



Mountain-ash and Hornbeam 13 



Apple 14 



"White-poplar and Chestnut 16 



Oak 18 * 



Lime 19 



Maple, Black-poplar, and Beech ... ' 21 

 Ash 22 



Individual trees, of course, may be found antici- 

 pating the generality, just as in late autumn we may 

 often observe individuals still green long after the 



