CAROLINA LAUREL-TREE. 415 



Geography^ ^'c. The Lauras carolinensis is indigenous to the lower part of 

 Virginia, and is found more or less abundantly throughout the maritime districts 

 of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and of Louisiana. It occurs in the broad 

 swamps which intersect the pine-barrens, and is there associated with tlie 

 tupelo, (Nyssa biflora,) red maple, (Acer rubrum,) and the water oak (Quercus 

 aquatica.) A cool and humid soil appears to be essential to its growth ; and it 

 is remarked, that the further south it grows, the more vigorous and beautiful is 

 in vegetation. 



This species was discovered by Mark Catesby, and was first described and 

 figured by him, in his " Natural History of Carolina." It was cultivated in Brit- 

 ain, by Miller, in 1739. Li France, Plumier constituted it a genus, to which he 

 gave the name of Borbonia, in honour of Gaston de Bourbon, son of Henry IV., 

 and uncle to Louis XIV. 



Propagatio7i, ^c. The Carolina laurel may be propagated by cuttings or lay- 

 ers, or from seeds. In its native country, the seeds vegetate freely, and the old 

 trees are often surrounded by hundreds of young plants. 



Pi'opertles and Uses. The wood of the Laurus carolinensis is very strong, 

 and of a beautiful rose-colour, with a fine, compact grain, and is susceptible of 

 a brilliant polish, having the appearance of watered satin. Before mahogany 

 became in general use in cabinet-making, in the United States, the wood of this 

 tree was much employed in the regions where it abounds in the manufacture of 

 articles of furniture of the highest degree of beauty. It might also be employed 

 in ship-building, and for other purposes of construction, as it unites the proper- 

 ties of strength and durability ; but its trunks are rarely found, of late, of sutli- 

 cient dimensions to render it available for these purposes. When bruised, the 

 leaves diffuse a strong odour, resembling that of the sweet bay, (Laurus nobilis,) 

 and may, like them, be employed in cookery. 



In Europe, this species is solely considered as an ornamental tree ; and as it is 

 more tender than the sweet bay, it is only suitable for warm and sheltered situa- 

 tions, or for being placed against a wall. 



