FOWLER S SERVICE TREE, OR MOUNTAIN ASH. 



81 



Few insects seem to feed upon the foliage of the Moun- 

 tain Ash, and the only species of Lepidopterous larva we 

 have occasionally found upon it have been those of Rumia 

 cratagata and Carn/paa margaritata. 



Of the other indigenous species of this section of the 

 genus we need only make cursory mention, as they seldom 

 attain a timber-like size, or even reach the proportions 

 of the Mountain Ash. The commonest species, and one 

 that braves the most exposed situations, and reaches in 

 mountainous districts a high 

 elevation, is the Pyrus aria, 

 the White Beam tree, distin- 

 guished by its ovate-shaped 

 leaves, with their under sur- 

 face covered with a white 

 down. We consider it well 

 adapted for nursing or protect- 

 ing other young trees, when 

 first planted, and in exposed 

 situations, as it shelters them, 

 without interfering with their 

 growth, always carries itself 

 erect, and, from its stiff, up- 

 right-growing branches, is not acted upon by the most 

 violent winds. Its wood is very hard and of a fine grain, 

 and where it grows in any quantity is extensively used for 

 the cogs of wheels in machinery, as well as for various 

 articles in turnery, and small manufactures. It is found 

 throughout Britain affecting chalky or limestone districts, 



* Our figure of the Mountain Ash is taken from a tree growing in Twizell 

 Dene. In the same locality we measured one of four feet two inches in circum- 

 ference, at two feet from the ground, another of three feet ten inches, and another 

 of three feet five inches, hut trees of a much larger size were overthrown by the 

 snow-storm of 1838, and by the hurricane of Jan. 7, 1839. 



G 



