VIRGINIAN CHERRY-TREE. 271 



tims, and escape into the air. The American lackey caterpillar-moth selects the 

 Virginian cherry in preference to all other trees, and next to this, the apple, a 

 further account of which will be found in our article on that tree.* 



The Virginian cherry-tree, and also the garden cherry, and peach-tree, suffer 

 severely from the attacks of borers, which are transformed to the beetles called, 

 by Mr. Say, in his "American Entomology," Btijjresfis divaricata.' They are 

 usually found under the bark, and sometimes in the solid wood of the trunks 

 and branches of the trees, where they undergo their transformations. The bee- 

 tles, or perfect insects, are copper-coloured, sometimes brassy above, and thickly 

 covered with little punctures. They measure from seven to nine-tenths of an inch 

 in length, and may be found sunning themselves upon the limbs of the trees dur- 

 ing the months of June, .'uly, and August. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of the Virginian cherry-tree is of a dull, light- 

 red tint, which deepens with age. It is compact, fine-grained, takes a brilliant 

 polish, and when perfectly seasoned, is not liable to warp. In America, it is 

 extensively used by cabinet-makers, for almost every species of furniture; and, 

 when chosen near the ramification of the trunk, it rivals mahogany in beauty 

 The wood is generally preferred to that of the black walnut, (Juglans nigra,) 

 the dun colour of which, in time, becomes nearly black. It is also, sometimes, 

 employed in the parts of the country wiiere it abounds, in ship-building, and for 

 making the felloes of wheels. The bark of the branches and of the roots, is col- 

 lected by herb-venders, and brought to market in pieces or fragments, several 

 inches long, and from half an inch to two inches in diameter. From drying, it 

 becomes somewhat curved laterally. That of the root is regarded as the best, is 

 destitute of epidermis, of a reddish-brown colour, brittle, easily pulverized, and 

 presents, when broken, a grayish surface. When fresh, the odour is prussic, 

 which is lost, in a measure, in drying, but I'egained by maceration. The taste is 

 aromatic, prussic, and bitter. It is, undoubtedly, a useful tonic, and appears to 

 possess, in some degree, narcotic and antispasmodic properties. Ur. Barton 

 informs us, that the leaves of this tree are poisonous to certain animals, as calves, 

 and even the berries intoxicate different kinds of birds. The fruit is employed 

 to make a cordial, by infusion in rum or brandy, with the addition of sugar. 



In Europe, the Virginian cherry is planted solely as an ornamental tree; and 

 as such, it well deserves a place in every collection. In America, its growth 

 should be encouraged along the road-sides, and in the woods, in order to attract 

 and afford nourishment to frugivorous birds. 



See Harris' Report, pp. 266, 267, 268 el 269. 



