DENDROLOGY. 209 



inches long, and ten or twelve lines in thickness, of a cylindrical 

 form, and of a similar construction to those of the other magnolias. 

 The seeds also are similar in color and arrangement. 



The wood of this tree resembles, in every respect, that of the 

 cucumber tree, from its softness and readiness to decay, it is not 

 employed for any determinate use. 



Small Magnolia or White Bay. Magnolia glauca. 



This tree, though inferior in size to the big laurel, and less 

 regularly formed, is interesting on account of its beautiful foliage 

 and flowers. It is common in Gloucester, Massachusetts, 

 and in Lower Jersey and becomes more so in proceeding towards 

 the south. In the maritime part of the Southern States, in the 

 Floridas and in Lower Louisiana, it is one of the most abundant 

 among the trees which grow in wet grounds. It is found not far 

 in the interior of the country, and in New York, Pennsylvania 

 and Maryland, it disappears thirty or forty miles north of the 

 capitals of these states. In the Carolinas and Georgia, it grows 

 only within the limits of the pine-barrens. In ^Philadelphia and 

 New York and in their vicinity, this tree is called Magnolia, 

 which denomination has entirely superseded those of Sivamj) 

 Sassafras and Beaver Wood, which were in use among the 

 Swedish settlers who first fixed themselves in the country. In 

 the Southern States it is generally called White Bay or Sweet 

 Bay, It grows most abundantly in swamps and marshes composed 

 of a black and miry soil. 



This tree sometimes rises to the height of 40 feet, with a 

 diameter of 12 or 14 inches ; but it does not ordinarily exceed 

 25 or 30 faet, and it often fructifies at the height of five or six 

 feet. The bark of this tree is smooth and grayish, and its trunk 

 is always crooked and divided into a great number of divaricating 

 branches. 'The leaves are five or six inches long, petiolated, 

 alternate, oblong-oval and entire. They are of a dark, shining 

 green above, and glaucous beneath, thus presenting an agreeable 

 contrast in the color of the two surfaces. The leaves fall in 

 autumn and are renewed early in the following spring. The 

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