90 



BuivLETIN 145 



of recognition. If one is in doubt 

 however, a distinguishing mark 

 may be found in the tiny, yellowish 

 resinous dots sprinkled over the 

 leaf surface, barely seen with the 

 naked eye but clearly evident with 

 a magnifying glass. This currant 

 is sometimes transferred to gar- 

 den culture and is a fruit of some 

 present value and of much piomise 

 when attention may be given to its 

 improvement. It is closely related 

 to the European black currant 

 which is prized by foreigners as a 

 garden fruit. 



Black Currant, X %. 



MOUNTAIN CURRANT. Ribcs pTostratuui L'Her. 



This also goes under the names of skunk currant or fetid 

 currant, which well characterize it since the bruised fruit and, 

 to a less degree, the foliage emit an unpleasant odor, much like 

 the skunk cabbage. The name mountain currant is also well 

 applied since it is one of the common and characteristic shrubs 

 of the higher mountain woods. The Latin name was chosen 

 because of the reclining habit of the main stems which lie along 

 the ground and frequently root, sending up shorter erect 

 branches. The fruit is small, bristly and of such disagreeable 

 flavor as to preclude any use being made of it. 



WITCH-HAZEL FAMILY. HAMAMELIDAE 



This family includes the liquidambar or sweet-gum tree of 

 the South but in Vermont is represented by the Avitch-hazel only. 

 wiTCH-H.\ZEL. Hamamelis virginiana L. 



It is a rather curious fact, and somewhat of a reproach to 

 current methods of education, that there are probably a score 

 of people who are acquainted with witch-hazel extract for one 



