TREKS AND SHRUBS. 81 



Pyrus Aucuparia 



(Mountain ^/.v//), the Rowan Tree, as it is gener- 

 ally called, was so named from the Scandinavian word 

 ' runa,' meaning w charm; ' this is not to he wondered at, 

 for. as some poet sings : 



' The mountain ash 



No eye can overlook, when 'mid a grove 

 Of yet unfaded trees she lifts her head 

 Decked with Autumnal berries, that outshine 

 Spring's richest blossoms.' 



Around this tree is much ancient mythology 

 centred ; sprays of its leaves and branches were hung 

 from the beams of houses and cattle sheds to keep off' 

 the evil spirits, and people who slept beneath the Rowan 

 were considered to be safe from all the evil spirits of 

 the night. 



It is the favourite home of the .Missel Thrush ; 

 and. indeed, a lovely tree, that looks equally well by 

 the banks of a wild Scotch burn or in a trim garden. 

 Neat in appearance, about 30 ft. high, it will completely 

 transform any spot in the Autumn by its heavy bunches 

 of scarlet berries, which in sunshine glow with an in- 

 describable warmth. It is deciduous, and will grow 

 quickly in any soil, its white flowers appearing in May 

 and June, but these are not as effective as the Autumn 

 berries. 



