LE & J 
30. Cornus Mas odorato, folio trifido margine plano. 
| The Saflafras-tree. re gc 6: ie 
This is generally a {mall tree; the trunk being ufually lefs than a foot thick: the leave are 
divided into three lobes by very deep incifures. In March come forth bunches of {mall yellow 
flowers with five petals each; which are fucceeded by berries, in fize and thape not unlike 
- thofe of a bay-tree, hanging on red foot-ftalks, with a calix like that of an acorn, which calix 
is.alfo red: the berries are at firft green, but when ripe, blue. 
This tree grows in moft parts of North America, and commonly on very good land: ’ its. 
medicinal virtue is very well known as a {weetener of the blood ; I thall ‘therefore only add, | 
that in Virginia a ftrong decoétion of the root has fometimes been given with good fuccefs for 
an intermitting fever. It will endure our climate in a warm fituation. The berries being 
fomewhat fucculent fhould be laid out to dry before they are put up, for fear of rotting in their 
paflage, which fhould be fhort, for they will not endure being kept long out of the ground, 
31. Smilax levis lauri folio, baccis nigris. 
The Bay-leaved Smilax with black be ‘Tes. 
This plant is ufually found in moift places: it fends forth from its root many green f{tems, 
whofe branches overfpread whatfoever ftands near it to a very confiderable diftance; and it fre- 
quently climbs above fixteen feet in height; growing fo very thick, that in Summer it makes 
an impenetrable fhade, and in Winter a warm fhelter for cattle. The leaves are of the colour 
of the Jaurus cerafus, or common laurel, but i in thape more like the oe without any vifible 
veins, the middle rib only excepted. 
The flowers are {mall and whitifh; the fruit grows in round clufters, and is a eae bay. 
contains one rim hard feed which is Tipe in October, and is food for many forts = birds. 
Fs 32. Smilax 
