4S COllMS. 



differs from that of lliimju-, in (laviny 'Ik- K-aves pubescent, and ia j ji ij; if i 

 taller stature. The Corniis i)urpiirra arows \o a height of from four to fifteen 

 feet, flowering in Jinie and .Inly, and ripening its dark-purple fruit in August and 

 September, h is easily Unown Irom all its congeners l)y its dark-red branches, 

 dark-purple tVuit, and tlie inten.sely dark-red of its leaves before they fall in 

 autumn. This species is called " Female Cornel," because it bears iVuit when 

 very youuLr: whereas, the Cornns mas. is barren for many years alter it shows 

 (lowers. The wood of tliis species, which is not quite so hard as that of the 

 Cornns mas. was formerly much used in Murope for mill-cogs, and for various 

 purposes in rustic carpentry; and is still made into skewers for butchers, tooth- 

 picks, and other small articles. It makes excellent fuel, and the very best char- 

 coal for uunpowder. The fnut, like the bark and leaves, is bitter and styptic; 

 and, when treated like that of the olive, it yields thirty-four per cent., by weight, 

 of an oil, that is used, in France, for lamps, and in the manufacture of soap. 



3. Cornns alba. White-fruited Dogwood; Comoviller a fniit hhxi, of the 

 French ; Wcissur Hornstraiirh^ of the (Jermans, is a native of iSorth America, 

 from Vn-ginia to Canada and Newfoundland, on the banks of streams and lakes; 

 and, if we take into account the Cornus stricta, panicnlata, sericea, and some 

 states of Cornus circinata, all of which are considered, by Sir W. J. Hooker, to 

 be too nearly allied to be made separate species, it is also a native of Siberia, 

 Oregon, Texas, Mexico, and California. The Cornus alba, when wild, grows tc 

 a height of from four to ten feet, and to double these heights in a state of cultiva- 

 tion. In summer, it is particularly interesting from its fine large leaves, and 

 white flowers; in autumn, from its bluish-white fruit, which is about the size 

 and colour of that of the mistletoe ; and in winter and spring, from the fine red 

 colour of its young branches or shoots. 



4. Cornus mascula. Male Dogwood; CornoniUer mdle^ Cornoiiiller des bois, 

 Cornier., Cuernier, Caneule, Aournier^oiihe French; Kornfl-Kir^dic Ilarlriegel, 



of the Germans; Cor/iiolo maschio, Sangtdne nmschio, Corgnolo, of the Italians; 

 Cornel-tree, Cornelian Cheiry-tree, Long Cherry., of the English. This species is 

 a native throughout Europe, Britain excepted, and the north and west of Asia, in 

 woods and hedges. In a wild state, it is seldom found above ten or twelve feet 

 in height ; but in a state of cultivation, it often attains double these elevations. 

 It has ash-coloured, pubescent shoots, ovate-lanceolate leaves, and yellow flow- 

 ers, which, in mild winters, come out in January or February; and the greater 

 part of which, in trees not exceeding twelve or fifteen years of age, have only 

 stamens, and drop ofl" without producing fruit. The fruit, which ripens in Sep- 

 tember or October, is about the size of a small acorn, and of a fine, rich, transpa- 

 rent scarlet. It remains a long time on the tree after it is ripe, and is very orna- 

 mental. The wood of this tree has been celebrated in all ages, for its hardness 

 and durability. In a dry state, it weighs sixty-nine and a quarter pounds to a 

 cubic foot. The heart- wood is of a brownish tint, and the sap-wood white, with 

 a slight tint of red. In ancient times, it was much in repute as shafts for jave- 

 lins; and both Homer and Virgil mention its use for these weapons. Pliny, also, 

 informs us, that it was nearly equal to iron in hardness, and was used by the 

 Romans for making wedges and pins, and the spokes of wheels. In France, 

 when it can be procured of sufficient size, it is employed for mill-work, especially 

 as cogs to wheels. The small branches are made into ladder rongs, or spokes, 

 forks for turning hay, hoops, vine-props, butchers' skewers, &c. The wood of 

 the cornel, like that of all the species of the genus, makes excellent fuel and char- 

 coal ; and the young shoots form a good substitute for those of the willow, in mak- 

 ing baskets, and tying up packages of various kinds. The leaves, small branches, 

 and fruit, may be employed for tanning skins; or may be used for dyeing a yel- 

 lowish-brown. The fruit, when perfectly ripe, is somewhat sweet, and not disa- 



