Cercis Judas-Tree Red-Bud. 289 



this class, reference being doubtless had to the appearance 

 of the tree in blossom, when its trunk and branches are 

 covered with small buds or flowers much resembling drops 

 of blood. There is another legend to the effect that the 

 ignominy fell to the lot of the elder, which has ever since 

 had a repulsive odor. The family is indigenous to the 

 south of Europe, to Eastern Asia, and to North America. 

 It is distinguished among the order to which it belongs by 

 its glabrous, kidney-shaped leaves, and the peculiar flow- 

 ers, to which reference has been made. These buds and 

 blossoms are succeeded by thin, flat, brown pods some- 

 times nearly six inches long, remaining on the tree nearly 

 or quite all the year. In garden cultivation, especially in 

 colder climates, these are seldom followed by fruit, resort 

 being made to other methods of propagation for the per- 

 petuation and increase of the family. 



C. canadensis American Red- Bud. This is the 

 species best known in our parks and gardens. It is a fine 

 tree in the early season, showy from the appearance of its 

 buds, which break out in great numbers along nearly the 

 whole length of its branches, and are of a brilliant red or 

 rose color. Nothing among trees is more singular and at- 

 tractive, and when a well-formed top is thus ablaze one 

 can scarcely pass without pausing to admire. The tree is 

 not large, though often twenty-five to thirty feet high. 

 The leaves, which begin to appear in May while the flow- 

 ers are expanding, are folded in a peculiar manner on the 

 bud, and when fully grown are somewhat heart-shaped at 

 the base, acuminate, and of a deep, rich color. 



C. siliquastrum is a native of southern Europe and 



