91 



SOLANACE^. 



(NIGHTSHADE Family.) 



SoLANUM Dulcamara, L. (Bitter-sweet), and better known here 

 as nightshade, often forms quite a shrub. The plant is not poison- 

 ous to handle, as many persons suppose, but the fruit may be poison- 

 ous to eat. 



Lycium vulgare, Dunal. (Matrimony Vine.) Much cultivated 

 in old gardens, and often found escaped along walls. 



OLEACE^. 



(OLIVE Family.) 



Syringa vulgaris, L. (Lilac), always found in old gardens, now 

 and then escapes, and is seen in quite out-of-the-way places. 



Ligustrum vulgare, L. (Privet. Prim.) Thoroughly natural- 

 ized in Danvers, Beverly, etc., sometimes growing 20 feet high. 



Chionanthus Virginica, L. (Fringe Tree.) A native of Pennsyl- 

 vania. It is often seen in cultivation. 



Fraxinus Americana, L. (White Ash.) This valuable tree is 

 abundant in all parts of the county, but rather as a roadside tree than 

 in groves of any extent. Old trees attain great size. Mr. ^ars 

 gives the measurements of several, among which one in Danvers was 

 in 1864:, 12 feet in circumference. Go feet high, with a spread of 

 branches GO feet in diameter. Five others in Danvers were from 7 to 

 9 feet in circumference three feet from the ground, and from 60 to 75 

 feet high. 



Two noble specimens of this species were felled on Essex street, 

 Salem, a few years since, leaving stumps over three feet in diameter, 

 and sound to the heart. 



The largest specimen noticed, measured by Mr. C. Cooke and the 

 writer, in 1876, on Cabot St., Beverly, was, 



Cu:cumference 11 feet 6 inches, 1 foot from ground. 



" 8 " 7^ " 6 feet •« " 



Height about SO feet. 



Fraxinus pubescens, Lam. (Red Ash.) Frequently seen in 

 various parts of the county, but seldom attaining great size. 



Fraxinus sambucifolia, Lam. (Black Ash.) Growing in low 

 lands, mostly with other trees, where they often reach a height of 60 

 feet, with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches at the but. 



LAURACEJE. 



(LAUREL Family.) 

 Sassafras officinale, Nees. The Sassafras is by no means a 



