THE ASH 



487 



eyes, which I incautiously rubbed with 

 my fingers. The result was such excruciat- 

 ing pain that for some minutes I was 

 practically Winded. The subsequent in- 

 flammation of the affected eye lasted 

 for fort\--eight hours. Instances of the 

 severe poisoning of the dog who worried 

 the toad have been frequently recorded, 

 and the dog who worries the frog is 

 often sorry for himself. The fact, how- 

 ever, that many animals and birds seem 

 to enjoy both species with impunity 

 (though they usually satisfy themselves 

 with their interior) seems to indicate 



that once the victim is engulfed the risk 

 is trivial. 



One can scarcely conclude an article 

 on frogs and toads \\-ithout a passing 

 reference to toads entombed in sohd rock. 

 To discuss this question at length would 

 be to insult the reader's intelligence. It 

 may perhaps be pointed out, however, 

 that ninety per cent, of the recorded 

 instances could be effectually disposed of 

 by anyone with a smattering of palaeon- 

 tology, and that the remaining ten per 

 cent, could be disposed of by anyone with 

 a smattering of common sense. 



Douglas English. 



HOW TO KNOW THE TREES 

 GROWING IN BRITAIN 



With Notes, descriptive and photographic, for their Identification 

 in all Seasons of the Year 



By HENRY IRVING 



THE ASH 



IX the Ash loftiness and strength are 

 suffused with beauty and grace. 

 Ruskin says there is no lovelier tree 

 in the world. She has no rival. In the 

 hedgerow, in the open meadow-land, on 

 the hill slopes, she maintains a natural 

 apartness, in aU simplicity and nobility of 

 demeanour, as of one whose primacy is 

 native and assured. Dainty is the Birch as 

 a girl of "sweet seventeen" ; diaphanous 

 gauze is her attire, and the rhythm in her 

 every movement is as the play of the 

 dancer's limbs and feet. Stately and 

 mature is the Ash ; hers is raiment as of 

 fine needlework, and she wears a jewelled 

 crown. She shall be Queen of the Summer. 

 In winter the natural stateliness of the 

 Ash is best realised. The main stem 

 rising, often without division, high to- 

 wards the summit displays great firmness 

 of line, strong without heaviness, as a 

 column of steel, fitly proportioned to the 

 weight of the superstructure. Each limb, 

 or arm, rising and extending in pure un- 



encumbered curves, shows a like blending 

 of firmly girt power and resihence. These 

 several curves of each hmb are merged 

 into the larger curve and onward flow 

 of the whole, as it sweeps outward towards 

 the tree's margin, where it dips for a 

 space, then lifts itself upwards, bearing 

 its grouped twigs like the balanced branch- 

 ings of a series of candelabra. And there 

 at the extremities, if the tree has fruited, 

 droop those distinctive clusters of " keys," 

 which, e\-en in the modified sunshine of 

 winter, stiU maintain something of the 

 lustre that was theirs amidst the glowing 

 lights of the autumn. 



In spring, when most other trees have 

 broken, or are breaking, into leaf, the 

 Ash, blossoming aU over, first " adorneth 

 herself with her jewels." ghstening as with 

 ruby and amethyst. Later the feathered 

 leaves spread out their soft greenery, 

 gracefully' drooping, overlapping and inter- 

 lacing, forming flounces and fringes ; but 

 then the full summer is here. 



