THE ASH. 317 
in different individuals, some being earlier than 
others. There is variation also amongst Ash 
Trees in the capacity for seeding, some individuals 
producing a much greater profusion of seed than 
others; and it is noticeable that those Trees 
which have little seed have usually a finer display 
of foliage: the drooping character of which 
gives avery graceful aspect to this beautiful Tree, 
enabling it in summer to present a light and airy 
contrast—by the easy sweep of its boughs—to the 
denser foliage of other Trees. The bark, more 
especially of young specimens of Ash, is of a light 
or ash colour, and it has been supposed that it is 
this circumstance which has originated the common 
name of the Tree, although the soundness of this 
supposition has been contested. 
The usefulness of the wood of the Ash makes it 
a Tree of great value; for notwithstanding its 
rapidity of growth, its timber is famous for its 
toughness and elasticity, qualities which, in com- 
bination, are very essential for many economic 
purposes. It is a curious fact, illustrative of the 
rapidity and perfection of the growth of Frawinus 
excelsior, that the wood of a sappling Tree, not 
