THE ASH. 

 Fraxinus Excelsior. 



Natural Order — Oleace^. 

 t'toss— DiANDRiA. Order — Monogynia. 



The Ash is, in utility, inferior only to tlie Oak, and, 

 like that tree, an undouhted child of British soil. Not 

 remarkable for robustness, grandeur, or longevity, it rests 

 its claims on qualities scarcely less striking. In height, 

 gracefulness of form, and elegance of foliage, it has no 

 superiors, scarcely any competitor. Its favourite haunts, 

 too, give it an additional charm. 



The Ash was well known to the Greeks, who called it 

 melea. Homer arms his heroes with an ashen spear, and 

 Cupid's arrows were originally made of the same wood, 

 D 3 



