Ash. 
(GRANDEUR.) 
“ All know that in the woods the ash reigns queen, 
In graceful beauty soaring to the sky.” 
Garcilasso. 
F all known trees, the Ash is most noted for its manifold 
\J mythological and classic associations in non-botanical 
works; and in its legendary connections, it is so frequently 
confounded with the mountain-ash, or rowan-tree, that, de¬ 
spite their not being in any way related, their merits must be 
here taken in conjunction. 
In the Scandinavian “ Edda ” this tree fills a very important 
post: it is therein stated that the Court of the Gods is held 
under a mighty ash, the summit of which reaches the heavens, 
the branches overshadow the whole earth, and the roots pene¬ 
trate to the infernal regions. Upon the summit of this Norse 
“ cloud-tree,” perches an eagle, overlooking and observant of 
all creation ; to this exalted bird a squirrel is continually 
ascending in order to acquaint it with such things as may 
have escaped its notice. Round its mighty trunk are twined 
serpents; and from its roots issue two fountains, in one of 
which is concealed wisdom, and in the other, a knowledge of 
futurity. Three attendant maidens are constantly sprinkling 
the leaves of this tree with water from the mystic fountains, 
and this water, falling to the earth in the shape of dew, pro¬ 
duces honey. 
This marvellous old allegory boasts of impenetrable an¬ 
tiquity, and writers trace its origin back into the misty times 
of the somewhat mythical Aryan race. 
According to the Norse tradition, it was out of the wood of 
the ash that man was first formed ; and it is another curious 
proof in behalf of the common origin of all literatures, both 
