288 



THE WHITE-BEAM. 



a white mealy clown^ as are also the under sides 

 of the leaves^ to such a degree as to give the tree 

 its name. The flowers are larger than those of 

 the Mountain Ash, and are succeeded by pale red 

 berries, resembling in shape those of the Siberian 

 Crab. Without being by any means common or 

 well known, it occurs occasionally in various parts 

 of England and Scotland. In the north of Devon 

 I have seen it reaching a large size, and bearing 

 abundance of fruit ; but vrhere the soil is not 

 congenial, or the situation is confined, it scarcely 

 merits the rank of a tree. The finest are said to 

 grow near Blair, in Perthshire. 



The fruit is used for the same purpose as that 

 of the Roan-tree, and, if kept till it begins to 

 decay, is somewhat more palatable, for in this 

 state, like the Medlar, it loses a great deal of 

 its austerity. It is eagerly devoured by birds, 

 and on this account is in France protected by 

 law, our neighbours having anticipated us in the 

 discovery, that the hostility of birds against in- 

 sects more than compensates in its effects for the 

 occasional depredations which the former commit 

 in our orchards and gardens. The wood of the 

 White-Beam is very heavy and of a close texture, 

 and is much used, especially on the Continent, for 

 the cogs of wheels in machinery. 



