1344 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART Ill. 
rough. (Willd. Sp., iv. p. 369.) _A deciduous tree, a native of Persia, but 
found also on the sea coast of Italy; growing to the height of 20 ft. or 30 ft. 
Introduced in 1548. Sir J. E. Smith remarks that this species is “‘ sometimes 
perfectly dicecious, and very frequently partially so; the stamens being in 
greater perfection in most flowers of one tree, and the pistils in those of 
another.” ( Rees’s Cycl., art. Morus. ) 
Variety. 
¥ M. n. 2 lacinidta Mill. Dict., No. 2., has the leaves jagged rather than 
cut. This alleged variety of the species may be considered as more 
properly a variation of the individual ; since leaves jagged and lobed 
in a great variety of ways are frequently found on plants in one 
season, and only heart-shaped comparatively entire leaves the next ! 
Description. The common mulberry is generally a low, much-branched 
tree, with a thick rough bark, and broad heart-shaped leaves, which are un- 
equally serrated, and very rough. The fruit is large, of a dark purple, very 
wholesome, and agreeable to the palate. The mulberry tree is remarkable for 
the slowness of its growth ; and also for being one of the last trees to deve- 
lope its leaves, though it is one of the first to ripen its fruit. In Britain, the 
tree always assumes something of a dwarf or stunted character, spreading into 
very thick arms, or branches, near the ground, and forming an extremely large 
head. It is a tree of very great durability; the trees at Syon being said to be 
300 years old, and some at Oxford and other places being supposed to be of 
nearly equal antiquity. It is also wonderfully tenacious of life; the roots 
of a black mulberry, which had lain dormant in the ground for twenty-four 
years, being said, after the expiration of that time, to have sent up shoots. 
(Ann. des Scien. Nat., tom. ix. p. 338., as quoted in Brande’s Journ. for Oct. 
1827. : 
Papal! The common, or black, mulberry is generally supposed to be 
a native of Persia, where there are still masses of it found in a wild state ; 
though the date of its introduction into Europe is unknown; and though it is 
occasionally found apparently wild in Italy. It is, however, so frequently 
confounded by the earlier writers with the white mulberry, as to render it 
difficult to ascertain the countries of which it is really a native. 
History. The black mulberry has been known from the earliest records of 
antiquity. It is twice mentioned in the Bible; viz.in the Second Book of 
Samuel, and in the Psalms. The same difficulty, however, exists in tracing 
its history distinctly from that of the white mulberry, as in its geography; and 
it is only when spoken of as a fruit tree, or when its colour is decidedly 
mentioned, that we can be sure which species is meant. Ovid, however, 
evidently points out the black mulberry as the one introduced in the story of 
Pyramus and Thisbe; and Pliny seems also to allude to it, as he observes 
that there is no other tree that has been so neglected by the wit of man, 
either in grafting or giving it names; an observation which holds good to the 
present day respecting the black mulberry, as it has only one trifling variety, 
or rather variation, and no synonyme; whereas there are numerous varieties 
of M. alba. Pliny adds, “ Of all the cultivated trees, the mulberry is the 
last that buds, which it never does until the cold weather is past; and it is 
therefore called the wisest of trees. But, when it begins to put forth buds, 
it despatches the business in one night,and that with so much force, that their 
breaking forth may be evidently heard.” (Book xvi. c.25.) The black 
mulberry was first brought to England in 1548 ; when some trees were planted 
at Syon, one, at least, of which (fig. 1222.) is still in existence. Others say 
that the first mulberry tree planted in England was in the garden at Lam- 
beth Palace, by Cardinal Pole, about 1555. The tree is mentioned by Tusser, 
and also by Gerard, who describes both the black and the white mulberry 
as being cultivated in his time. The royal edict of James I. about 1605, 
recommending the cultivation of silkworms, and offering packets of mulberry 
seeds to all who would sow them, no doubt rendered the tree fashionable, as 
