ELM

A valuable genus of trees, confined to the colder pans of the northern hemisphere, but common to both the old and new world. Most of the species are trees of considerable size, and produce a timber useful for many common purposes in which great strength and durability are not required; but some of them are small bushes of no known value. In Great Britain there are several species in a wild state, the most valuable of which are called the Welsh, the Hertfordshire, the Hunting don, and the smooth-leaved; in other countries of Europe and Asia many peculiar species exist, but they have been little examined by botanists. The elm is valued for the rapidity of its growth, ils hardine , and its capability of thriving in poor soil unfit for tillage. The word seems to be an alteration of ulmus, its Latin name. ELOCUTION (Lat. eloquor, I speak out), signified originally,as the derivation of the word imports, the act of choosing and adapting words and sentences to the ideas to be expre ed; but it is more frequently employed to denote the just and graceful management of the voice, countenance,and gesture in speaking; in which sense it is synonymous with what is termed a good deliver;/ or pronunciation. See Declamation, Eloquence. [s. 408]