HAMAMELIDES. SILVA OF NORTH AMERICA. 5 
Plukenet, published in 1696." According to Aiton,’ it was introduced into English gardens in 1736 
by Peter Collinson.’ 
It is propagated by seed, which should be sown as soon as gathered, when it will germinate in the 
second year.* 
1 Pistachia Virginiana nigra Coryli foliis, 298. 
Hamamelis, Catesby, Nat. Hist. Car. ii. Appx. 2, t. 2. — Clayton, 
Fl. Virgin. 139. — Colden, Cat. Pl. Novebor. 89.— Duhamel, Traité 
des Arbres, i. 287, t. 114. 
2 Hort. Kew. i. 167. 
8 See i. 8. 
4 The popular name of this plant is due to the fact that it was 
early used by impostors to indicate the presence of precious metals 
in the soil and to discover springs of water. For this purpose a 
forked branch is twirled between the fingers and thumbs of the 
two hands ; then at the place where the fork points water or gold 
is declared to exist. 
