THE WHITE-BEAM. 



Pyrus aria. 



The White-Beam* (or White-tree), though 

 closely allied to the Mountain Ash, and conse- 

 quently bearing a strong resemblance to it as to 

 flower and fruit, is nevertheless very unlike it in 

 general character and appearance. It is a native 

 of the same countries, v^ith the exception of 

 North America, preferring chalky or limestone 

 soils, where it frequently attains the height of 

 thirty or forty feet. The trunk is straight and 

 smooth, and the young shoots are covered with 



* "Beam," Saxon for "tree." So, in German, Mehl-baimi" 

 means literally " Meal-tree," from the remarkably white and mealy 

 appearance of the under side of its leaves. 



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