EBONY. 365 
knotty, irregular, and veined, it is in much request for 
cabinet-work by mechanics on the Continent. Th 
best season for felling ash-trees is from November to 
February. As fuel, this tree burns better whilst wet 
and green than other wood. 
We are informed that, in the northern parts of Lan- 
cashire, when grass is scarce, the small farmers fre- 
quently cut off the tops of ash-trees to feed their cows 
with the leaves and tender branches ; but these are said 
to spoil the taste of the milk. Mr. Pennant states that, 
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the inhabitants of 
Colton and Hawkshead-Fells remonstrated against the 
number of forges then lately erected in that part of the 
country, because they consumed the loppings of the 
trees, which formed the sole winter food for their 
cattle. The leaves of ash-trees were formerly much 
used in the adulteration of tea* under the name of 
smouch; but this practice has of late been prohibited 
by act of parliament. 
The bark of the ash-tree is employed in the tanning 
of calf-skins, and sometimes in dyeing black and other 
colours. The inner bark has been proposed as a substitute 
for Peruvian bark, in the cure of intermittent fevers. 
277. EBONY is the wood of a species of palm-tree (Bios* 
piros. ebenum), which groivs in the island of Ceylon, and ha* 
smooth, leathery, oblong, and pointed leaves, and rougli-haired 
buds. 
The black and valuable substance known to us by 
the name of ebony, is the centre part only of the trees, 
The outside wood is white and soft, and either decays 
soon, or is- destroyed by insects, which leave the black 
part untouched. Ebony is, imported into this country 
from the East Indies* It is exceedingly hard and 
heavy, admits of being highlv polished, and is prin- 
cipally used by cabinet-makers and inlay ers for the 
veneering of cabinets and other ornamental work. 
The wood of the pear-tree, stained black, is frequently 
substituted for ebony. 
VOL. II. K 
