270 



The Silver-Bell: The Ash. 



fruit closely resembles in form that of the plane-tree, but is smaller. 

 It is sometimes called the " pond dogwood." 



THE SNOW- DROP, or SILVER-BELL TREE (Genus Halesia'). 

 1076. The family to which this tree belongs, (Styracece') contains 

 but two genera within the United States, and this genus but five 

 species, of which two are found in North America, one in China, 

 and two or three in Japan. Our species are small trees, found in 

 the Southern Atlantic States, and bear showy white flowers. They 

 are often cultivated for ornament. The H. diptera is found in rich 

 woods along the. Gulf States : the H. tetraptera occurs in woods and 

 along streams in West Virginia, and from Illinois to Florida, mostly 

 upon or near mountains, and the H. parviflora is a southern species. 



THE ASH (Genus Fraxinus). 



142. Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit of the Ash. 



1077. This belongs 

 to the olive family 

 (Oleacece), which in- 

 cludes, besides, the 

 European olive, so 

 valued for its fruit 

 and oil, the Forsyth- 

 ias, lilacs, privets, 

 and fringe-tree, that 

 have been introduced 

 for ornamental plant- 

 ing. 



1078. The Europ- 

 ean ash (Fraxinus 

 excelsior') is generally 

 found growing with 

 other kinds, and sel- 

 dom alone. It thrives 

 best in a warm cli- 

 mate, and is found, 

 not only upon plains, 

 but on slopes and 

 plateaus of consid- 

 erable size. It sue- 



