466 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
Growing almost spontaneously in the South of France, it is 
cultivated as an ornamental tree in most countries. e com- 
posite leaves of the Flowering Ash have from seven to nine 
sessile, lanceolate and dentate folioles; they are green and smooth 
on the upper surface, the lower part a little paler, and barbate 
throughout the whole length of the midrib. The flowers appear 
with the leaves; they are regular and hermaphrodite, and of a 
greenish white. The calyx is four-lobed, and the whitish corolla 
has four very long linear petals. There are two stamens and one 
pistil, with two cells each, containing two suspended anatropal 
ovules, like the lilac ; the fruit a winged samara. 
rom this and some other species of the Ash—notably, as 
already observed, from F. rotundifolia—a liquid is drawn from it by 
incisions made in the bark, which concretes when exposed to the 
air. It is known under the name of “manna,’’ and seems to be @ 
principle in itself, being incapable of fermentation. When fresh, 
it is sweet and nutritious; with age it becomes slightly purgative, 
and serves a useful purpose in medicine. The most highly 
esteemed manna is obtained from Sicily. It is furnished by - 
different species of the Ash, especially the species named. 
The Common Ash (Frazinus excelsior) (Plate XVIIL.) is a large 
tree, which when in good condition reaches the height of seventy 
or eighty feet, with a trunk of eight or ten feet in circumference. 
It grows in the woods, in clumps, or by itself, blossoming in April 
and May. Its leaves present from nine to fifteen nearly sessile, — 
_ lanceolate, opposed folioles, smooth on the upper part, velvety 
below, at the base of each side of the midrib. The flowers of the 
Common Ash, contrary to those of the Flowering Ash, are com> — 
pletely destitute of envelopes; they are composed of two gta 
mens and a pistil. The flowers and the fruit resemble those of 
the Flowering Ash (Fraxinus ornus). ee 
The Common Ash is found in many parts of Northern Asia, | 
and is said to be indigenous in Japan. Its rapid growth and 
tough, hard wood make it one of the most useful British trees — 
besides being singularly graceful as an ornament on lawns os 
parks; but more especially does it seem the natural ornament of — 
architectural ruins, such as Melrose or Netley abbeys, where it = 
may be seen in great perfection, blending its slender branches — 
