THE ASH. 



143 



younger tree. This is occasioned by the numer- 

 ous clusters of flowers which appear at the extre- 

 mities of the branches, at least a month before 



FLOWERS AND SEED-VESSELS OF THE ASH. 



the leaves. These flowers are minute and remark- 

 ably simple in their structure, being destitute 

 both of calyx and corolla : but being exceedingly 

 numerous, and of a dark purple colour, they are 



