164 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES ELM 



times of large dimensions. In consequence of U. campestris not 

 producing perfect seeds in this country, and there being no 

 evidence of its being found in a wild state, it is therefore sup- 

 posed that it is not a native ; while U. montana seeds freely, 

 and is abundantly wild in Scotland. 



Elm, American {Ulmus americana), native of North 

 America, abundant in Nova Scotia and Canada, extending to the 

 Southern United States. It is a tree resembling the English 

 Elm, but has larger leaves, and attains a greater height, even 

 that of 100 feet. The wood is used for the same purposes as the 

 preceding, but is not so hard, and is less durable. Its inner 

 bark is very tough, and is used for weaving into seats for common 

 chairs and the like. 



Emden Groats. {See Oats.) 



Endive (Cichormm Undivia), an annual of the Composite 

 family (Composita^), said to be a native of the East Indies or 

 Cliina. It was introduced about 300 years ago ; it is in general 

 cultivation as a winter salad plant. There are several varieties, 

 the principal being the broad-leaved and curled endive. 



Ensete, a name in Abyssinia for Iftisa Eiisete, a noble plant 

 of the Banana family (Musacese). It was originally discovered 

 by Bruce, the distinguished traveller and collector, more than a 

 century ago. His account of this plant, like many other parts 

 of his history of that country, was doubted until 1853, when 

 seeds and a description of it were sent to the Eoyal Gardens, 

 Kew, by W. Plowden, Esq., then British consul in that country. 

 Plants raised from these seeds grew rapidly, soon forming a stem 

 8 feet high, with a girth (at 6 inches above the soil) of 7 feet 

 6 inches, its leaves being 17 feet long by 3 feet 4 inches T\ide. 

 This plant thus produces the largest entire leaf of any vegetable 

 organism at present known. The flower-stalk rises from the 

 centre of the plant as in the banana, and is as thick as a man's 

 arm, forming a considerable article of food to the natives. The 

 fruit is not succulent, but small and dry, being quite useless as 

 food. 



Ergot {Oidiuin alortifaciens), a microscopic mildew common 



