THE OLIVE AND ITS PRODUCTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

 — ♦ — 



DESCRIPTION AND HABITAT, AND INTRO- 

 DUCTORY. 



Olea Europe a*, The Common Olive, belonging to the 

 natural order of Oleacece, is, in its wild state, little more 

 than a shrub, thorny and unattractive in appearance; 

 but, by cultivation, has become a tree varying according 

 to species, at maturity, from twenty to forty feet in 

 height, and though sober of aspect, and of peculiar tint, 

 is by no means destitute of beauty. The tree is an 

 evergreen with leaves somewhat leathery in appearance, 

 the upper surface being of a subdued rich green color 

 peculiar to the Olive, which has given its name to the 

 tint ; the under side being minutely scaly and of a 

 whitish-grey. This is said to be observed in a remark- 

 able manner when the lightest breeze is passing through 

 the valleys of olive- gardens, the effect being by one 

 author prettily likened to a silver cloud gliding across 

 the landscape. A somewhat similar effect, upon a smaller 

 scale, may be witnessed with the beautiful Silver Poplar ; 

 but in a more intensified degree, owing to the dazzling 

 whiteness of the under side of the leaf of that tree. 

 The leaves are opposite, and, in shape, either oblong or 

 lanceolate, and entire. The small white flowers are in 

 axillary bunches, or in thyrsi at the ends of the twigs, 

 drooping when at maturity. The fruit {see Illustration 



* From t&e Greek, EXata, olive. 



