THE LINDENS, ETC. 



57 



bold stand against the elements. These leaves are 

 in sharp contrast with those of the older cherry, 

 and their whole aspect is indicative of youthful vigor. 

 It is a curious fact, however, that the broad, blunt 

 leaf (which is an exception to the general rule) 

 of this younger black cherry is almost identi- 

 cal in shape with that of the choke cherry, 

 Prunus Virginicma / this species is 

 properly considered a shrub, although 

 in a mild climate it sometimes attains 

 the proportions of a good-sized tree. 

 But tins particular tree I describe 

 which, with several others like it, 

 grows in the valley of the Pemige- 

 wasset River, N. H., is unquestion- 

 ably Prunus serotina, as a taste of 

 the bitter almond - flavored bark 

 proves its identity beyond a doubt.* 

 The long type of leaf, such as I have drawn just 

 above, is most common in the wild black cherry. 

 The flowers, unlike those of the red cherry, grow 

 in clusters around a long, upright or pendulous 

 stem, and appear in May or June. The fruit is 



Typical leaf of the 

 Black Cherry. 



* T do not hesitate to introduce to the reader any leaf which 

 I may come across, whether it be typical or not. One of the 

 most interesting phases of the study of Nature is her essential 

 unconventionality. 



