Genus NYSSA, Linn. 



Santalacex. Polygamia Dicecia. 



Si/st. Nat. Sy$t. Lin. 



Dfriration. The sronus Nyaaa was so called by Linnaeus, from a water nymph of that name, who educated Bacshus ; becaoM 

 several of its species grow in water or moist places. 



Generic Characters. Flowers bisexual and male ; the two kinds upon distinct plants, and without j)etals. 

 Calyx of bisexual flower connate, with the ovary in its lower part, having a free, 5-parted limb. Sta- 

 mens 5. Ovary ovate, containing 1 pendulous ovule, and in some instances, 2. Style simple, revolute, 

 curved inwards. Stigma acute. Fruit a roundish drupe. Nut elliptical, acute, angular, somewhat 

 irregular, grooved lengthwise, containing 1 seed, which is albuminous, and has an embryo that has 

 large, leafy cotyledons, and a superior radicle. Calyx of male flower 5-parted, spreading. Stamens 

 5, 8, 10, and 12 ; surrounding a shield-shaped gland. Leaves alternate, entire. Inflorescence axillary, 

 peduncled, of 1 floer, or several aggregate flowers. Fruit red or blackish-purple, sufl"used with a 

 frosty appearance. Loudon, Arboretum. 



I HE genus Nyssa embraces deciduous trees, natives of North Amer- 

 ica, and, though several sorts have been described by botanists, 

 they are all, probably, referable to two, or at most, three species; 

 namely, Nyssa biflora, candicans and grandidentata, the two lat- 

 ter being so nearly allied, that we have considered them as belong- 

 ing to the same species. 

 To the natural family of hardy trees next preceding Santalacege belong the 

 genera Daphne and Dirca, the former of which contains the mezereon, (Daphne 

 mezereum,) a well-known shrub, much valued in gardens and shrubberies, both 

 for the beauty of its flowers and its fruit. It produces its agreeably fragrant flow- 

 ers in early spring, before the leaves; when, as is beautifully expressed by Cow- 

 per, its branches are, 



" Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset 

 With blushing wreaths, investing every spray." 



The marsh dirca, or leather-wood, (Dirca palustris.) sometimes also called 

 wickoby, is a native from Maine and Canada to Georgia, and is noted for the 

 extreme toughness of its inner bark, which is so strong that the stoutest man 

 could not break, by pulling, a strip an inch in width, taken from the main stem. 

 The wood, when deprived of the bark, is remarkably soft and brittle, snapping 

 with the slightest effort. Like the mezereon, it blossoms before leafing. 



