156 A COMPENDIUM OF 
much esteemed by cabinet makers for the lustre q 
of its polish. Leaves ovate oblong or lanceo- 
late oblong, with serrated edges and of a rich 
green color; flowers white and small, with five 
petals and in racemes; stamens numerous; calyx 
adherent to the ovary; fruit about the size of the - 
gorion pea, black and shining. The Prunus 
irginiana is called by the late Prof. Gray choke- 
berry, and described by him as a small tree, 
whilst some botanists contend that the Prunus 
written of is a giant tree in size and bears 
fruit, whilst that under discussion is the Ceras- 
sus Serotina, and it is from this species that we 
obtain the bark of the stores, which usually 
curs in irregular fragments about one-twelfth of 
an inch (2 millimeters) thick, presenting to the 
naked eye a greenish-brown color externall 
.Tather lighter and smoother internally; easily 
broken and the fracture granular. The bark is 
obtained from all parts of the tree, but that taken 
from the root is the best. The bark contains 
