AILANTHUS, 



TEREBINTACE.t. POLYC-AMIA MOXCECIA. 



From the Araboyna name, aylanto^. which sigiiifiea the tree of 

 heaven. — French, langit. 



The Ailanthus grows forty or fiftv feet high, with a 

 straight trunk, covered w-ith a oTav bark : the leaves are 

 large and smooth ; the blossoms ai'e numerous, but not 

 of a pleasant odour. This is a quick-growing tree in 

 our cKmate. is handsome, and verv proper for ornamental 

 plantations. The wood is hard, heaw, glossv. and sus- 

 ceptible of a very fine poH-h. From the bark, when 

 wounded, flows a resinous juice, which hardens in a few 

 davs. 



The Ailantlius is a native of China, and was fii'st 

 raised in England by Mr. ^Miller, and Phihp Cai'teret 

 Webb. Esq., about the year 1T51. It does not produce 

 fruit in this country. 



This tree was formerly considered as a -pecies of Rhus, 

 and is memorable among us." observes ]\Ir. ]\Iart\TL. 



for the dispute it occasioned between ]\Ir. Ellis and 

 ]\Ir. ^Miller, which is recorded in the Pliilosophical 

 Transactions. The latter contended that it was the Fasi- 

 no-ki tree, or spurious Varnish-tree of the Japanese ; but 

 it is clear that he was mistaken, for the leaves of that 

 tree are entire, and have none of the singular glands 

 which are found in thi.> : nor does the Ailantlius ^ueld 

 anv juice."' 



In the last remark, Tvlr. ^uartyn himself appears mis- 

 taken; since it seems, and by his ov.u accoimt. that the 

 bai'k when wounded does yield a juice, more or les-. 



