CHAPTER VI. 



ASH-TBEE. 



Fraxinus excelsior. 



" The ash far stretching his umbrageous arm." 



Cotvper. 



THE ASH, pre-eminent in sylvan elegance, may surely chal- 

 lenge competition with her brothers of the forest, said a 

 murmuring voice from among the branches of a graceful 

 ash. Look upon my smooth grey bark, and the curving 

 upwards of my lower branches, of which the light and 

 airy foliage emulates that of the acacia, the tree beloved 

 of nightingales. 



The coming forth of my leaves in spring, informs the 



