. nches of old trees become pendent; but, in most cases of oldtrees of this species, there is a tendency in the extremities of the lower branchesto curve upwards. The bark is of a dark-gray, when young, and ash-colouredas the tree advances in age. The roots, which are numerous and take a hor-izontal direction, are furnished with more fibres than those of most other foresttrees. Both fibres and roots are white, which, indeed, is the case in all the olea-ceae. The buds are short, oval, obtuse, and constantly black ; and, by this lastc
. nches of old trees become pendent; but, in most cases of oldtrees of this species, there is a tendency in the extremities of the lower branchesto curve upwards. The bark is of a dark-gray, when young, and ash-colouredas the tree advances in age. The roots, which are numerous and take a hor-izontal direction, are furnished with more fibres than those of most other foresttrees. Both fibres and roots are white, which, indeed, is the case in all the olea-ceae. The buds are short, oval, obtuse, and constantly black ; and, by this lastcircumstance, this tree is easily distinguished from the American species. Theleaves are opposite, and are composed of from five to thirteen leaflets, slightlypedicellate, smooth, oval, acuminated, and serrated. The common petiole issemi-cylindrical, with a channel on the upper side. The flowers, which putforth in March and April, are produced in long, loose spikes, from the sides ofthe branches. On some there are only female flowers ; on others, hermaphrodite. some situations, particularly on EUROPEAN ASH-TREE. 3S5 ones; while on some there are only male flowers, and frequently trees are to bemet with containing flowers in two of these states, and even in all of them. Theseeds, which are included in what are commonly called keys, or botanicallysamarse, are generally ripe in October; and. like those of the aceracese and theailantus, from their wedge-like shape, they are liable to fix themselves in thecrevices of rocks, ruins, walls, and even in the clefts of old trees, where theyoften vegetate and grow.* Varieties. These are very numerous; but we shall first give those which areuniversally allowed to be varieties, and are described as such by Don and Lou-don ; and afterwards indicate those which are treated by botanists as species. 1. F. E. PEXDULA. Pendulous-branched European Ash ; Frene pleureiir, Freneparasol, of the French; Trauer Fsche, of the Germans. This singular and bea
Size: 1885px × 1326px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorbrownedj, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookyear1851
