84 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



September, that the mountain ash adds so 

 much to the gaiety of picturesque scenery, 

 when the glowing vermilion fruit decorates 

 the boughs so superbly by its pendent pomes, 

 for botanical language will not allow us to say 

 berries, because the seeds of this plant are 

 disposed like that of the apple in a fleshy 

 pulp, and divided into cells. 



Ancient poets tell us, that the Amazons 

 formed their spears of this wood, by which 

 they boldly defended themselves against mor- 

 tals, whilst the Cambro and the North Bri- 

 tains, in later times, depended on the powers 

 of this wood to protect them from super- 

 natural enemies ; and there are still some 

 persons, who cling so obstinately to supersti- 

 tion, as to believe that any small piece of this 

 tree carried about them, will prove a sove- 

 reign charm against all the effects of enchant- 

 ment or witchcraft. 



In Wales, says Mr. Evelyn, " this tree is 

 reputed so sacred, that, as there is not a 

 church-yard without one of them planted in 

 it, (as amongst us the yew), so on a certain 

 day in the year, every body religiously wears 

 a cross made of the wood, and it is reputed 

 to be a preservative against fascinations and 

 evil spirits, whence perhaps we call it witchen, 

 the boughs being stuck about the house, or 



