SABAL PALMETTO. 223 



Timber of excellent quality is afforded by all these species. That 

 of the Redwood, as well as most of the Cedars, is almost indestructi- 

 ble. Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) is used in the manufacture of 

 lead pencils. The Temple of Solomon was built of the Cedars of Leb- 

 anon (Gedrus Libdni). The Southern Pine is heavy and fragrant with 

 resin, affording excellent timber for floors. The Norfolk Island Pine 

 (Eutassa excelsa) is celebrated for its timber and for its stately beauty. 



Turpentine is distilled from the pitch which flows from the Southern 

 Pine ; resin is the residuum after distillation. Burgundy pitch is 

 obtained from P. sylvestris of Europe. Canada balsam flows from the 

 ' ' blisters " in the bark of our beautiful Abies balsdmea. 



Tannic acid abounds in the bark of the Hemlock ; hence it is, like 

 the Oak, extensively used in tanning leather. 



The Yew tree (Taxus) figures in history as the favorite wood for 

 making bows, once the formidable weapon of the English yeoman. 

 Our Yew is a straggling shrub, never attaining the dimensions of a 

 tree. 



LIX. THE PALMETTO.* 



Description. In the forests that skirt the sandy coasts 

 of the Southern States, the renowned Palmetto reigns. It 

 is a tree arising 25 to 40 feet, with trunk erect, simple, 

 10-20' in diameter, all developed from one terminal bud. 

 From this bud, in early Spring, a new set of leaves is an- 

 nually produced above the old before they fall. Hence the 

 tree is evergreen. 



Analysis. The Stem of the Palmetto exhibits new 

 features especially worthy of study. Outside it is rugged in 

 aspect, especially above, where it is beset with the split bases 

 of former leaf-stalks. The trunks of other forest trees are 

 largest at the base, diminishing upward. Not so with the 

 Palmetto. Its trunk either continues of uniform size, or 

 perceptibly enlarges toward the summit, there attaining its 



* The Palmetto is the emblem of South Carolina. The massive terminal bud, 

 consisting of numerous undeveloped leaves, is much prized as a vegetable, whence 



