343 CORAL'S. 
differs from that of Europe, in having the leaves pubescent, and hi beLig jf a 
taller stature. The Cornus purpurea grows to a height of from four to fifteen 
feet, flowering in June and July, and ripening its dark-purple fruit in August and 
September. It is easily known irom all its congeners by its dark-red branches, 
dark-purple fruit, and the intensely dark-red of its leaves before they fall in 
autumn. This species is called "Female Cornel," because it bears fruit when 
very young; whereas, the Cornus mas. is barren for many years after it shows 
flowers. The wood of this species, which is not quite so hard as that of the 
Cornus mas. was formerly much used in Europe for mill-cogs, and for various 
purposes in rustic carpentry; and is still made into skewers for butchers, tooth- 
picks, and other small articles. It makes excellent fuel, and the very best char- 
coal for gunpowder. The fruit, like the bark and leaves, is bitter and styptic; 
and, when treated like that of the olive, it yields thirty-four per cent., by weight, 
of an oil, that is used, in France, for lamps, and in the manufacture of soap. 
3. Cornus alba. White-fruited Dogwood ; Coi-nouiller a fruit bleu, of the 
French; Weisser Hornstrauch, of the Germans, is a native of North America, 
from Virginia to Canada and Newfoundland, on the banks of streams and lakes ; 
and, if we take into account the Cornus stricta, paniculata, sericea, and some 
states of Cornus circinata, all of which are considered, by Sir W. J. Hooker, to 
be too nearly allied to be made separate species, it is also a native of Siberia, 
Oregon, Texas, Mexico, and California. The Cornus alba, when wild, grows to 
a height of from four to ten feet, and to double these heights in a state of cultiva- 
tion. In summer, it is particularly interesting from its fine large leaves, and 
white flowers; in autumn, from its bluish-white fruit, which is about the size 
and colour of that of the mistletoe ; and in winter and spring, from the fine red 
colour of its young branches or shoots. 
4. Cornus mascula. Male Dogwood; Cur nouiller male, Cornouiller des bois, 
Cornier, Cuernier, Caneule, Aournier, of the French; Kornel-Kirsche Hart Hegel, 
of the Germans; Corniolo maschio, Sanguine maschio, Corgnolo, of the Italians ; 
Cornel-tree, Cornelian Cherry-tree, Long Cherry, of the English. This species is 
a native throughout Europe, Britain excepted, and the north and west of Asia, in 
woods and hedges. In a wild state, it is seldom found above ten or twelve feet 
in height; but in a state of cultivation, it often attains double these elevations. 
It has ash-coloured, pubescent shoots, ovate-lanceolate leaves, and yellow flow- 
ers, which, in mild winters, come out in January or February; and the greater 
part of which, in trees not exceeding twelve or fifteen years of age, have only 
stamens, and drop off without producing fruit. The fruit, which ripens in Sep- 
tember or October, is about the size of a small acorn, and of a fine, rich, transpa- 
rent scarlet. It remains a long time on the tree after it is ripe, and is very oma r 
mental. The wood of this tree has been celebrated in all ages, for its hardness 
and durability. In a dry state, it weighs sixty-nine and a quarter pounds to a 
cubic foot. The heart-wood is of a brownish tint, and the sap-wood white, with 
a slight tint of red. In ancient times, it was much in repute as shafts for jave- 
lins; and both Homer and Virgil mention its use for these weapons. Pliny, also, 
informs us, that it was nearly equal to iron in hardness, and was used by the 
Romans for making wedges and pins, and the spokes of wheels. In France, 
when it can be procured of sufficient size, it is employed for mill-work, especially 
as cogs to wheels. The small branches are made into ladder rongs, or spokes, 
forks for turning hay, hoops, vine-props, butchers' skewers, &c. The wood of 
the cornel, like that of all the species of the genus, makes excellent fuel and char- 
coal ; and the young shoots form a good substitute for those of the willow, in mak- 
ing baskets, and tying up packages of various kinds. The leaves, small branches, 
and fruit, may be employed for tanning skins; or may be used for dyeing a yel- 
lowish-brown. The fruit, when perfectly ripe, is somewhat sweet, and not disa- 
