DENDROLOGY. 221 



this tree is known by the name of Sour Tupelo and Wild Lime, 

 the first of which we have preferred, though the last is more 

 common, because this vegetable bears no resemblance to the 

 lime tree in the form of its leaves or flowers. 



This tree rarely exceeds 30 feet in height and a diameter of 

 seven or eight inches. The leaves are five or six inches long, 

 oval, rarely denticulated, of a light green above and glaucous 

 beneath. The flowers are similar to those of the large tupelo, 

 but the sexes are borne by separate stocks, and what is peculiarly 

 remarkable, the male and female trees are easily distinguished 

 by their general appearance when the leaves are fallen. The 

 branches of the male are more compressed about the trunk, and 

 rise in a direction more nearly perpendicular ; those of the female 

 diffuse themselves horizontally and form a larger and rounder 

 summit. The flowers open in April or May. The fruit is 

 supported by long petioles, and is from fifteen to eighteen lines 

 in length, of a light red color and of an oval shape. It is thick- 

 skinned, intensely acid, and contains, like that of the large tupelo, 

 a large oblong stone deeply channelled on both sides. An 

 agreeable acidulous beverage might be made of it ; but the lime 

 tree which is found in the same country, is superior in the size 

 and abundance of its fruit, and has, besides, the advantage of 

 flourishing on barren, sunbeaten land. 



The wood of this tree is soft and unfit for any particular use 

 in the arts. 



