58 Gilpin's forest scenery. 



Willow in pieces, whicli fell away from it on every 

 side ; -and what was before tlie root of the Ash, 

 being now exposed to the air, became the solid 

 trunk of a vigorous tree. 



As a beautiful variety of the tree we are now 

 examining, the Mountain Ash, often called the 

 Boan Tree,- should be mentioned. Its name de- 

 notes the place of its usual residence. Inured 

 to cold and rugged scenes, it is the hardy in- 

 habitant of the northern parts of this island. 

 Sometimes it is found in softer climes : but there 

 it generally discovers, by its stunted growth, that 

 it does not occupy the situation it loves. 



In ancient days, when superstition held that 

 place in society which dissipation and impiety 

 now hold, the Mountain Ash was considered as 

 an object of great veneration. Often, at this day, 

 a stump of it is found in some old burying-place ; 

 or near the circle of a Druid temple whose rites 

 it formerly invested with its sacred shade. Its 

 chief merit now consists in being the ornament 

 of landscape. In the Scottish Highlands it be- 

 comes a considerable tree. There, on some rocky 

 mountain covered with dark Pines and waving 



