THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



155 



curls like a shepherd's crook, Another peculiar monstrosity is sometimes 

 seen in which the infloresence grows thick and succulent, the flower does not 

 expand but assumes a form exactly similar to a head of a cauliflower with 

 the developement of which it completely corresponds. 



The Ash belongs the natural order Oleacea, of which the olive tree (Olea 

 Europea) — the emblem of peace and plenty — is the type, and gives its name 

 to the order, its name being derived from the remarkably oily character of 

 the fruit of this species, which furnishes the salad and olive oil of commerce. 

 The close alliance of these trees is indicated by the fact that the olive may be 

 grafted upon the ash, although as it requires a hotter summer it does not 

 flourish in this country. Besides the ash, the only other indigenous repre- 

 sentative of this order is the privet {Ligustrum vulgar e\ a small shrub with 

 smooth pliable branches, opposite, entire leaves, small pure white flowers, 

 followed by purplish black berries. Its most familiar use is the formation of 

 hedges as leafy screens, for which it is eminently suitable, as it bears clipping 

 and pruning well, and thrives even in the smoky atmosphere of towns. Its 

 common name of " privet," " prim," or " prim-print/' is said to be derived 

 from the prim, precise habit induced by a free and frequent use of the shears. 



Another equally familiar, if not better known, representative of this order 

 is met with in every shrubbery and cottage garden, where its freedom of 

 growth and fragrant flowers endears it to every one in the sweet spring-time. 

 This is the lilac (Syringa vulgaris), of which Cowper sings : — • 



" The lilac various in array, now white, 

 Now sanguine, and her beauteous head now set 

 With purple spikes pyramidal, as if 

 Studious of ornament, yet unresolved 

 Which hue she most approved, she chose them all." 



The poets have also lauded its perfume— 



" The lilac has a load of balm 

 For every wind that stirs." 



and another adds — 



" How slowly through the lilac-scented air 

 Descends the tranquil moon." 



A native of Persia it was introduced into this country in the time of Henry 

 VIII., and is now one of our commonest ornamental shrubs, and the recent 

 fashionable craze for early forced white lilac flowers is likely to make it a 

 greater favourite than ever. Its stout panicle of flowers, technically called a 

 thyrse, is developed in exactly the same form as those of the ash. It has 

 also the peculiarity of producing two terminal buds in autumn, so that in 

 spring two equal branches are formed, and the bush assumes a forked habit. 

 The common name of lilac describes the colour of the typical flower ; a dull 



