312 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



the extremity of the young shoots. The scales which surround 

 the bunches of flowers are downy like the buds. The flowers 

 and seeds differ from those of the wahoo ; the calyx is downy 

 and sessile, and the stamens are short and of a pale-rose color ; 

 the seeds are larger, destitute of fringe, round, and very similar 

 to those of the European elms ; they are ripe about the last 

 of May. 



The bark upon the trunk is brown ; the heart is coarse-grained 

 and less compact than that of the white elm, and of a dull-red 

 tinge. The wood, even in branches of one or two inches in 

 diameter, consists principally of alburnum or sap. This species 

 is stronger, more durable, when exposed to the weather, and of 

 a better quality than the white elm ; hence in the Western States 

 it is employed with greater advantage in the construction of 

 houses, and sometimes of vessels on the banks of the Ohio. It 

 is said to be the best wood in the United States for blocks, and 

 its scarceness in the Atlantic States is the only cause of its limited 

 consumption in the ports. It makes excellent rails, which are of 

 long duration and are formed with little labor, as the trunk 

 divides itself easily and regularly : this is probably the reason 

 that it is never employed for the naves of wheels. This tree 

 bears a strong resemblance to a species or a variety in Europe 

 known by the name of Dutch Elm; the bark of .which is very 

 mucilaginous and also contains sugar, a little gallic acid and 

 super tartrate of potass. Medicinally it is said to be alternative, 

 tonic and diuretic, and to be useful for herpetic and leprous 

 eruptions. If it ever do good in such cases, it must be from its 

 mucilage sheathing the acid or acrid substances of the primed 

 vitce, from which they arise. The leaves and the bark of the 

 branches, macerated in water, yield a thick and abundant 

 mucilage, which is used for a refreshing drink in colds. The 

 bark, when reduced to flour, is said to make excellent puddings. 



