COMMUNICATIONS. 



217 



— -if carried out, would save us from many false theories and in- 

 correct conclusions in regard to similar cases. 



The small red fruit, (about the size of a pea) ripens in July. 

 The tree can be distinguished from the common wild cherry by 

 the growth of the flowers and fruit, which is in clusters in the 

 axils of the leaves, like the garden cherry. In both of the follow- 

 ing species the flowers and fruit grow in racimes (like a bunch of 

 grapes or currants,) at the ends of the branches. Michaux describes 

 this specie under the name of Cerasus horealts, or the Red Cherry. 



12. Prunus Virgmiana, of Linnceus. — Choke Cherry. 



The Choke Cherry may be distin- 

 guished from the next species, by its 

 much smaller growth ; its broader, obo- 

 vate, sharply serrated leaves ; the short 

 and close racimes ; the lighter color of 

 the fruit, etc. It would make a hand- 

 some ornament in our pleasure grounds 

 on account of its bright shining foliage, 

 and the numerous spikes of white flow- 

 ers. It does not attain sufficient size 

 to be of any use in the arts of life. The 

 flowers appear in May, and the fruit ri- 

 pens in July and August. It grows 

 very abundantly throughout the State. 



13. Prunus seroima, of Ehrhart — WUd 

 Black Cherry. 



This species, too well known to need 

 description here, is found very com- 

 monly in the timbered paxts of the 

 State, where the trees are cut into logs 

 and used for cabinet work. For this 

 purpose the wood of the Wild Cherry 

 is a great favorite. It is almost equal 

 to the imported mahogany, and is pre- 

 ■wiLD BLACK cHEEEYr ferrcd to the black-walnut, on account 

 of its lighter and less sombre appearance. 

 z 



