IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 145 



growth. Timber valuable, better resisting extreme heat than the 

 common Ash ; largely exported. It assumes a red tint in age.- 

 Much valued for its toughness, lightness, and elasticity, excellent 

 for work subject to sudden shocks and strains, such as the frames 

 of machines, carriage- wheels, agricultural implements, pick-handles, 

 billiard-cues, fishing-rods, handles, chair-rails, shafts, staves, pulley- 

 blocks, belaying-pins and oars, also for furniture, musical instru- 

 ments, the young branches for mast-hoops. Baron von Mueller and 

 Mr. J. G. Luehmann found the strength greater than that of our 

 Blackwood-tree and of many Eucalypts, but not equal to that 

 of E. leucoxylon, E. siderophloia, E. polyanthema, the best E. 

 globulus, and hickory. Over-old wood not desirable. When once 

 thoroughly seasoned, it does not shrink or swell, and is thus in 

 Virginia preferred for flooring to any native timber (Robb ; Sim- 

 rnonds). The inner bark furnishes a yellow dye. The Red Ash 

 (Fraxinus pubescens, Lam.), the Green Ash (F. viridis, Mich.), the 

 Black Ash (F. sambucifolia, Lam.), and the Carolina Ash (F. 

 platycarpa, Mich. ) are of smaller size ; although F. pubescens may 

 sometimes also become large. 



Fraxinus Chinensis, Roxburgh. 



It is this Ash on which a peculiar wax is produced by Coccus Pela, 

 perhaps also on some species of Ligustrum. About 40,000 Ibs. are 

 exported annually according to Mr. Bernardini. 



Fraxinus excelsior, Linne.* 



The ordinary Ash of Europe and West Asia. Height 80 feet, of 

 comparatively quick growth, known to attain an age of nearly 

 200 years. Rich soil on forest-rivulets or river-banks suits it best ; 

 but it thrives still on moist sand ; wood remarkably tough and 

 elastic, used for agricultural and other implements, handles, 

 ladders, drum-hoops, under carriage-work, for oars, axle-trees, and 

 many other purposes. Six peculiar kinds of Ash-trees occur in 

 Japan, some also in the Indian highlands j 'all might be tried. 



Fraxinus floribunda, Don. 



^"epal Ash, 40 feet high. Himalaya, between 5,000 and 11,000 

 feet. It attains a height of 120 feet, and serves as a fine avenue- 

 tree ; girth of stem sometimes 1 5 feet. The wood much sought for 

 oars, ploughs, and various implements (Stewart and Brandis). For 

 forest plantations Ashes are best mixed with Beeches and some 

 other trees. 



Fraxinus Oregana, Nuttall. 



California and Oregon Ash. A tree up to 80 feet in height, 

 preferring low-lying alluvial lands. The wood of this fine species 



