52 



THE ASH. 



The ash rarely attains the bulk of other 

 timber trees : only a few instances of large 

 dimensions are recorded ; but among these we 

 meet with one of the astonishing girth of forty- 

 two feet. Another is spoken of as nearly se- 

 venteen feet in circumference ; and a third is 

 described as being eight feet in diameter^ 

 which my young friends will readily estimate 

 at about twenty-four feet in circumference. 

 Its bloom has a beautiful appearance ; but it 

 drops its leaves very early in autumn ; and in 

 old age has none of that grandeur which the 

 oak preserves. 



From a species of dwarf ash^ growing wild 

 in Calabria^ manna is procured, by cutting the 

 bark, and collecting the juice, which runs out, 

 and forms the concrete substance I have just 

 alluded to." 



