OF FOREST-TREES. 



145 



CHAPTER VIL 



The ASH\ 



1. FrAXINUS, the ASH. This tree with 



us is reputed male and CHAP. VII. 



female, the one affecting the higher grounds, the other the plains, 

 of a whiter wood, and rising many times to a prodigious stature, so 

 as in forty years from the key, an Ash hath been sold for thirty pounds 

 sterling. And I have been credibly informed, that one person hath 



^ Of this GENUS there are only three species. 



1. FRAXINUS ( lixcEhsioR) foliolis serratis, floribus apetalis. Lin. Sp. Plant. 1509. — 

 Ash-tree whose smaller leaves are serrated, and Jlowers having no petals. Fraxinus excelsior. 

 C. B. P. 41 6. Thk common ash. 



This is the common Ash-tree which grows naturally in most parts of England, and is so well 

 known as to need no description. The leaves of this sort have generally five pair of lobes, 

 and are terminated by an odd one ; they are of a very dark green, and their edges are 

 slightly sawed. The flowers are produced in loose spikes from- the side of the branches, and 

 are succeeded by flat seeds, which ripen in Autumn : There is a variety with variegated 

 leaves, which is preserved in some gardens. 



2. FRAXINUS CoRNusJ foliolis serratis, floribus corollatis. Lin. Sp. Plant. 1510. — 

 Ash-tree whose smaller leaves are sawed, and Jlowers having petals. Fraxinus humilior sive 

 altera Theophrasti, minora et tenuiore folio. C. B. P. 41 6. Dwarf Ash of Theophrastus, 

 with smaller and narrower leaves. The flowering ash. 



This is a low tree, seldom rising above twenty feet in height. The leaves are smaller and 

 narrower than those of the common Ash. They are of a pleasant green, and more deeply 

 serrated. From this tree is collected the inspissated juice called manna. The flowers have 

 petals, which are wanting in the common Ash. 



3. FRAXINUS f ^MERic^N^^ foliolis integerrimis, petiolis teretibus. Lin. Sp. PI. 1510. 

 Ash-tree with the small leaves entire, and taper footstalks. Fraxinus ex Nova Anglia pinnis 

 foliorum in mucronera productioribus. Rand. Cat. Hort. Chels. New England Ash with 

 long acute points to ike wings of the leaves. The American ash. 



This was raised from seeds, which were sent from New England in the year 1724, by 

 Mr. Moore. The leaves of this tree have but three, or at most but four pair of lobes, 

 (or small leaves,) which are placed far distant from each other, and are terminated by an odd 

 lobe, -which runs out into a very long point ; they are of a light green and entire, having 

 no serratures on their edges. This tree shoots into strong irregular branches, but does not 

 grow to a large size in the trunk. It is propagated by grafting, or budding, upon the 

 common Ash. Of this species there are two or three varieties. 



Volume I. 



C c 



