116 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I. and moister grounds, where they will sometimes rise to above an hundred 

 "^"^'"'^ feet in height, and a prodigious growth, in less than a person's age ; 



myself having seen one planted by the hand of a Countess, living not 

 long since, which was near twelve feet in compass ; and of an height 

 proportionable, notwithstanding the numerous progeny which grew 

 under the shade of it, some whereof were at least a foot in diameter, 



inches long, and almost four broad, and are equally sawed on their edges. The flowers 

 grow in clusters towards the end of the twigs ; they have long leafy empaiements of a green 

 colour, and appear in the spring before their leaves, and the seeds ripen the latter end 

 of May. Formerly, when long bows were in use, many of them were made of the boughs 

 of this tree. 



2. ULMUS ("SATIVA J foliis ovatis acuminatis duplicato-serratis, basi inaequalibus. Elm 

 with oval, acute-pointed leaves, which are doubly sawed, and unequal at their base. Ulmus 

 minor, folio angusto, scabro. Ger. Emac. 1480. The small-leaved, or English elm. 



This kind is commonly known in the nursery-gardens by the title of English £im, which 

 is far from being a right appellation; for it is not a native of England, and is only found 

 growing near London, or in plantations where the young trees were procured from the 

 neighbourhood of London. Where this tree grows naturally, it is not easy to determine ; 

 some persons suppose it was brought from Germany. The flowers are of a purplish red 

 colour, and generally appear about the middle of Marcii ; but Mr. Miller could never ob- 

 serve any seeds upon this sort. It is by some called the Cornish Elm. 



3. ULMUS C GLABRA ) foliis ovatis glabris, acute-serratis. Elm with oval, smooth leaves, 

 which are sharply sawed on their edges. Ulmus folio glabro. Ger. Emac. 1481. The 



SMOOTH-LEAVED ELM. 



This is very common in several parts of Hertfordshire, Essex, and other north-east counties 

 of England, where it grows to a large tree, and is much esteemed. The branches spread 

 out like those of the first sort. The leaves are oval, and sharply sawed on their edges ; they 

 are smoother than most of the other sorts, and do not appear till the middle or latter end 

 of May, so that this kind is seldom planted near habitations. 



4. ULMUS ( HOLLANDicA ) foliis ovatis acuminatis rugosis, inffiqualiter serratis, cortice 

 fungoso. Elm with oval, acute-pointed, rough leaves, which are unequally sawed, and a fungus 

 bark. The dutch elm. 



This sort is well known by the title of Dutch Elm. It was brought from Holland about the 

 beginning of the reign of King William, and was employed in farming hedges in gardens; 

 but that taste being now justly exploded, the tree is no longer noticed in this country. 



5. ULMUS (minor ) foliis oblongo-ovatis glabris acuminatis duplicato-serratis. Elm with 

 oblong, smooth, acute-pointed leaves, which are dmbly sawed. Ulmus minor, folio angusto, 

 glabro. Elm with smooth narrow leaves. The upright elm. 



