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THE WYCH ELM, 



This species, it has been observed above, may 

 be distinguished from the Common Elm by its 

 larger leaves and slightly-notched seed-vessels. 

 A practised eye will also be able to detect it 

 readily by other peculiarities. The shoots of the 

 young trees are of so vigorous a growth as to be 

 nearly equal in size to the stem from which 

 they spring ; they are also so heavily laden with 

 leaves, which are as large as those of the Hazel, 

 or even larger, that they have an arched, drooping 

 appearance. On the older branches the leaves are 

 smaller, and hang in large heavy masses ; they may 

 be distinguished by being taper-pointed, and 

 nearly equal at the base. The trunk is less 

 upright than those of the other species, and 

 soon divides into long, widely-spreading, some- 

 what drooping branches. Though less common 

 in England than the Small-leaved Elm, it is far 

 from rare. In Scotland, it is the only indigenous 

 species, whence it is often called the Scotch Elm. 

 From the leaves somewhat resembling those of 

 the Hazel, Gerard tells us it is sometimes called 

 the Witch-hasell." " Old men affirm," he adds, 



that when long bows were in use, there were 

 very many made of the wood of this tree ; for 

 which purpose, it is mentioned in the English 

 statutes by this name of Witch-hasell." The 

 meaning of its name is unknown ; hence it is 

 variously spelt by authors, wych, wich, witch, and 



