xinus excelsior=, L. (EUROPEAN ASH.) Leaflets 11 to 13 (in some
cultivated varieties reduced to 1 to 5), almost sessile,
lanceolate-oblong, acuminate, serrate, wedge-shaped at base. Flowers
naked, somewhat dioecious, and so the fruit does not form on all the
trees. Keys linear-oblong, obtuse, obliquely notched at apex. This
species in its very numerous varieties is common in cultivation. One of
the most interesting is the Weeping Ash (var. _pendula_). The most
remarkable is the one with simple, from pinnatifid to entire leaves
(var. _monophylla_).

[Illustration: F. ornus.]

8. =Fraxinus ornus.= (FLOWERING ASH.) Leaflets 7 to 9, lanceolate or
elliptical, attenuated, serrated, entire at the stalked bases, villous
or downy beneath. Flowers fringe-like, white, in large terminal drooping
clusters, of 4 or 2 petals. May to June. Fruit small, lance-linear,
obtuse, attenuate at each end. A small tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, planted
in parks. Not hardy north of New York City without some protection.

GENUS =61. OSMANTHUS.=

Shrub or small tree with opposite, thick, evergreen, nearly entire
leaves. Flowers small, white, in panicles or corymbs in late spring.
Fruit a spherical drupe, 1/2 in. long, with a 2-seeded stone; hanging on
during the winter.

[Illustration: O. Americana.]

=Osmanthus Americana, L.= (DEVIL-WOOD.) Leaves thick, evergreen,
oblong-lanceolate, entire, acute, narrowed to a petiole, 4 to 5 in.
long. Flowers dioecious, very small. May. Fruit globular, about 1/2 in.
in diameter, violet-purplish; ripe in autumn, and remaining on the tree
through the winter. A small tree, 15 to 20 ft. high, from southern
Virginia southward, in moist woods.

GENUS =62. SYRINGA.=

Leaves simple, entire, opposite; flowers ornamental, in large, dense
clusters. The Lilacs are all beautiful, but form mere shrubs, except the
following:

[Illustration: S. Japonica.]

=Syringa Japonica.= (JAPAN LILAC. GIANT TREE LILAC.) Leaves deciduous,
opposite, oval to cordate, thick, dark green, glossy; flowers white,
4-parted, odorless, in very large, dense, erect, terminal clusters,
blooming in summer; fruit dry 2-celled pods with 2 to 4 seeds. A
magnificent small tree, 20 to 30 ft. high; from Japan; probably hardy
throughout.

GENUS =63. CHIONANTHUS.=

Low trees or shrubs with simple, deciduous, opposite, entire, thick,
smooth, petioled leaves. Flowers 4-parted, with long, slender, delicate
white lobes, drooping in clusters from the