OLIVE FAMILY 



.125 



the Latin name of the tree, perhaps referring to the ease with 

 which it may be spht. ) 



I. F. exctisior (Common Ash).— A noble tree, characterised by 

 the smooth, light, ash-coloured bark of its Vounger branches, of 

 which the lower ones droop, and curve upwards again at the 

 extremities ; by its large, black, tcrnrinal buds : by the large, 



^^ 



ligOstrl-M vllg\re {Frivet). 



unecjually pinnate leaves of 9- 



leaflets, which are lanceolate 



and serrate : by the dense clusters of flowers, jome consisting only 

 of two purple-black stamens, others only of an ovary, aird others 

 of both ; and by the tufts of pendulous seed-vessels, popularly 

 called "keys," which remain attached to the tree until the s;)ring. 

 A variety is occasionally found with only the. terminal leaflets to 

 its leaves. — ^^'oods and hedges ; common. — Fl. April, May, before 

 leafing. Perennial 



