1886.] JUDAS TREE. 753 



overshadoNved and choked. The advantage is, that nature thus 

 points out liow many and wliich trees can still thrive on the 

 trround. It will he the worst trees, as a rule, that will succumb in 

 the struggle for existence — those acidentally injured or tliose want- 

 ing in vigour, but most especially those trees which have fallen on 

 the inferior patches of the soil. S. G. 



JUDAS TREE {OERCIS). 



rriHIS is a genus of low-growing, ornamental flowering, deciduous 

 ■ |_ trees. Two species only are known in our gardens. One — 

 C. siliquastrum, a native of the south of Europe — is one of the most 

 ornamental of hardy flowering trees. The flowers are bright purple- 

 red, and are crowded thickly on the year-old wood, and appear some- 

 what in advance of the leaves. They have a fine piquancy of 

 flavour when eaten, which renders them a popular ingredient in 

 salads in parts of the Continent where the tree abounds. The 

 leaves are striking and somewhat characteristic in shape, being 

 kidney-shaped, with a heart-formed base, and are a very beautiful 

 pale green when they unfold. The wood is very beautiful, being 

 veined black and green, and takes a fine polish ; it is said also to be 

 very durable, but the growth is so slow that it can only be available 

 for ornamental purposes, for which, however, it is highly useful, 

 although apparently not much employed. This species bears also 

 the popular names, Bed Bud and Zove Tree. Why it is called 

 Judas Tree does not appear to be very clear. Gerarde, to be sure, 

 says, " this is the tree whereon Judas did hang himselfe ; and not on 

 the elder-tree, as it is said." But as higher authorities than Gerarde 

 appear to differ as to whether the arch-traitor died by hanging or by 

 other means, we shall leave the question where it is — in unsolved 

 obscurity — merely remarking that it is a pity so hateful a name 

 should be associated with so beautiful an object as this lovely tree. 

 The other species — C. Caiv.idcnsis, a native of Canada, as its name 

 implies — is also a beautiful tree, flowering in the same manner as 

 the European species. The flowers are highly appreciated by the 

 Canadians in salads, and are also pickled by them, in which form 

 they are said to be very delicate and toothsome. Tlie wood of this 

 species is similar in all uespects to that of the European one, and 

 the young twigs are used in dying wool, and yield a beautiful 

 nankeen colour. 



Both species are worth}^ of a larger share of popular favour than 

 they receive, on account of their beautiful effect in ornamental 

 plantations and shrul)beries. 



