210 s SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



fore, naturally introduce the elm at the same 

 time ; which, being a tree of such easy propa- 

 gation, both from suckers and cuttings, a 

 single tree introduced by them, would be 

 sufficient to stock the whole island in a 

 much shorter space than the time they had 

 possession of this country. 



The learned author of the " Sylva" was of 

 opinion, that the elm was not indigenous to 

 England. " Some affirm," says Evelyn, " that 

 it was first brought out of Lombardy ; and 

 I have frequently doubted whether it be a 

 pure indigene or translatitious ; and not only 

 because I have hardly ever known any consi- 

 derable woods of them, but almost continu- 

 ally in tufts, hedge-rows, and mounds ; and 

 that Shropshire, and several other counties, 

 and rarely any beyond Stamford to Durham, 

 have any growing in many miles together." 

 Aubery informed Mr. Ray, that the elm was 

 not to be found north of Grantham or 

 Stamford. 



At the present time, when ages have so 

 happily blended exotic and native beauties in 

 our woods, the elm is never seen in those 

 forests that keep their original character. It 

 seems to have followed cultivation and en- 

 closure, and is principally to be found in the 

 neighbourhood where the town has been 



13 



