JUDAS TREE. 191 



with them, and the shape of the leaves, somewhat like 

 those of the cyclamen, helps also to make a pretty 

 variety in the summer. When planted as a standard, 

 this tree blossoms in May, but against a wall it will be 

 some weeks earlier. The wood is beautifully veined with 

 black and green ; and taking a fine polish, may be con- 

 verted to many uses. . The flowers have an agreeable 

 poignancy, and are eaten in salads. 



There are two varieties of this tree, one with flesh- 

 coloured, and one with white blossoms, but they cannot 

 compare with the first in beauty. It is a native of the 

 Levant, Spain, South of France, Italy, &c. and was cul- 

 tivated by Gerarde in this country, in 1596. 



The American Judas tree, Cercis L' (incidents, grows 

 naturally in North America, where it is called Red-bud 

 tree, from the red flower-buds appearing in the spring 

 before the leaves. This seldom exceeds twelve feet in 

 height in this country, but in its native soil grows much 

 higher. The branches are weaker than those of the for- 

 mer mentioned kind ; the leaves are downy, and pointed 

 at the end ; the flowers smaller and not so handsome, 

 but the tree is equally hardy. 



The blossoms are eaten by the inhabitants of America 

 in salads, and the French in Canada pickle them. The 

 wood is similar to that of the Common Judas tree : the 

 young branches dye wool of a fine nankin colour. This 

 species was not introduced here till about the year 1730. 



