CHAP. XCVI. SANTALACE. NY’SSA. 1319 
The leaves are 5in. or Gin. long, oval, rarely denticulated, of a light green 
above, and glaucous beneath. The flowers are similar to those of the large 
tupelo (N. grandidentata), but the sexes are borne by separate trees; and 
Michaux remarks, “as a peculiarity witnessed in no other tree of North 
America, that the male and female trees are easily distinguished by their 
general appearance when the leaves have fallen. The branches of the male 
are more compressed about the trunk, and rise Ina direction more nearly 
perpendicular ; those of the female diffuse themselves horizontally, and 
form a larger and rounder summit. The fruit is supported by long peduncles, 
and is about 14 in. in length, of a light red colour, and of an oval shape. 
It is thick-skinned, intensely acid, and contains, like that of the large 
tupelo, a large oblong stone, deeply channeled on both sides.” (Michx. 
N. Amer. Syl., iii. p. 43, 44.) This appears to be the kind of Nyssa 
mentioned in Martyn’s Miller, as not then introduced, but which is said 
to be described by Mr. Humphry Marshall, from Bartram’s catalogue, “as 
a tree of great singularity and beauty, rising to the height of 30 ft.; the 
fruit of which is of a deep scarlet colour, and of the size of a damascene 
plum. It has an agreeable acid taste, whence it is called the lime tree.” 
Professor Martyn adds that Bartram calls it Nyssa coccinea, and observes 
that there is no tree which exhibits a more desirable appearance than this, 
in the autumn, when the fruit is ripe, and the tree is partly divested of its 
leaves; for then “the remainder looks as red as scarlet, and the fruit is of that 
colour also.” It is the shape of the olive, but larger, and contains an agreeable 
acid juice. “ The most northern habitation of this tree yet known,” he adds, 
‘is on the great Ogechee, where it is called the Ogechee lime, from its acid 
fruit being about the size of limes, and being sometimes used in their 
stead.” There is a plant, bearing the name of N. capitata, in the arbo- 
retum of Messrs. Loddiges, 6 ft. or 7 ft. high; which, from its foliage, we 
have no doubt, is indentical with Michaux’s figure. 
¥ 4. N. GranpipENTA‘TA Michx. The deeply-toothed-/eaved Nyssa, or 
Large Tupelo Tree 
Identification. Michx. N. Amer. Syl., 3. p.40. ’ 
Synonymes. N. tomentdsa, and N. angulizans, Michx. Fl. Bor. Amer., 2. p. 259.; N. denticulata Ait. 
Hort. Kew., 3, p.446., Willd. Sp. PL, 4. p. 1114, ; N. angulosa Por. ; N. unifldra Wangenh. Amer., 
p. 85. ; Wild Olive, Amer. ; Virginian Water Tupelo, Mart. Mill. 
Engravings. Wangenh. Amer., t. 27. f. 57.’; Catesb. Car., 1.t. 60.; Michx. N. Amer. Sylva, 3. t. 119, r 
and our jigs. 1200, 1201. 
Spec. Char., &c. Leaf with a long petiole, anda disk that is oblong, acuminate, distantly serrate. 
Female flowers one upon a uncle. (JVilld. Sp. Pi., iv. p. 1114.) The leaves are invariably toothed 
with large pointed teeth. The bracteas are rather longer than the ovary. The lobes of the calyx 
are wedge-shaped. The drupe is Sg (Michaux.) A deciduous 
tree, a native of North America; which Michaux calls the most re. 
markable species of its genus for height and diameter; and which 
was introduced into Britain in 1735. It grows chiefly 
in the southern parts of the United States; and 
Michaux observes that it is always found in company 
with the long-leaved pine (Pinus palistris) and the | 
cypress (Taxddium distichum). In South Carolina and 
Georgia these trees are constantly found growing with 
the over-cup oak (Quércus lyrata), the water locust 
(Gleditschia monospérma), the cotton wood (Pé6- 
pulus_canadénsis), the Carolinian poplar (Pépulus 
angulata), and the water bitter-nut hickory (Ca- 
ps aquatica) ; intermixed with which they compose 
the dark impenetrable forests which cover the miry 
swamps on the borders of the rivers, to the distance 
of 100 to 200 miles from the ocean. The presence of 
these trees is considered an infallible proof of the depth 
and fertility of the soil, and, consequently, of its fitness 
for the culture of vine. “ The rivers, at their annual overflowing, sometimes cover these marshes 
to the height of 5ft. or 6 ft., as is shown by the marks left upon the trees by the retiring 
waters. Vegetation seems only to acquire new energy from these inundations, and the large 
tupelo sometimes attains the height of 70 ft. or 80 ft., with a diameter of 15 in. or 20 in. imme- 
diately above its conical base, and 6 ft. or 7 ft. from the ground. This size continues uniform to 
the height of 25 ft. or 30 ft. At the surface the trunk is 8 ft. or 9 ft. thick. (Michr. N. Amer. 
Sy/., ili, p. 41.) The leaves of the large tupelo are commonly 5 in. or 6 in. long, a:d 2in, or 3in. 
broad; but on young and thriving plants they are of twice these dimensions. hey are of an oval 
shape, and are garnished with two or three large teeth, which are irregularly placed, and generally 
only on one side of the leaf. When the leaves unfold in spring, they are downy ; but they become 
smooth on both sides as theyexpand. The flowers are numerous though single, andare succeeded 
by fruit of considerable size, and of a deep blue*colour, of which the stone is depressed, and very 
