THE MOUNTAIN ASHES 117 



dies are made out of the berries. From Newfoundland 

 to Manitoba and southward the tree grows wild and is 

 planted for ornament in home grounds. 



Elder-leaved Mountain Ash 



S. sambucifolia, Roem. 



The elder-leaved mountain ash overlaps the first species, 

 and is even more daring as a climber. It ranges from 

 Labrador to Alaska, follows the Rocky Mountains to 

 Colorado, and in the Eastern states goes no farther south 

 than Pennsylvania. Its leaves are graceful and drooping 

 like the elder. The flowers and fruits are large ; the whole 

 tree tropical looking, its open, pyramidal head giving each 

 leaf a chance at the sun. 



European Mountain Ash 



S, Aucuparia, Linn.' 



Most common in cultivation is the European mountain 

 ash called in England the rowan tree. This trim round- 

 headed species is very neat and conventional compared 

 with its wild cousins, but in the craggy highlands of Scot- 

 land and Wales it much resembles our mountain ashes. 



Old superstitions cluster around the rowan tree in all 

 rural sections. These are preserved in the folk-lore and 

 the literature of many countries. Rowans were planted 

 by cottage doors and at the gates of church yards, being 

 considered effectual in exorcising evil spirits. Leafy 

 twigs hung over the thresholds, crosses made of "Roan** 

 wood given out on festival days, were worn as charms or 

 amulets. Milkmaids, especially, depended upon these 



