CAROLINA LAUREL-TREE. 41 
a 
Geography, <-c. The Lauras carolinensis is indigenous to the lower part of 
Virginia, and is found more or less abundantly throughout the maritime districts 
of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and of Louisiana. It occurs in the broad 
swamps which intersect the pine-barrens, and is there associated with the 
tupelo, (Nyssa biflora,) red maple, (Acer rubrum,) and the water oak (Uuercus 
aquatica.) A cool and humid soil appears to be essential to its growth; and it 
is remarked, that the further south it grows, the more vigorous and beautiful is 
its vegetation. 
This species was discovered by Mark Catesby, and was first described and 
figured by him, in his " Natural History of Carolina." It was cultivated in Brit- 
ain, by Miller, in 1739. In France, Plumier constituted it a genus, to which he 
gave the name of Borbonia, in honour of Gaston de Bourbon, son of Henry IV., 
and uncle to Louis XIV. 
Propagation, fyc. The Carolina laurel may be propagated by cuttings or lay- 
ers, or from seeds. In its native country, the seeds vegetate freely, and the old 
trees are often surrounded by hundreds of young plants. 
Properties and Uses. The wood of the Laurus carolinensis is very strong, 
and of a beautiful rose-colour, with a fine, compact grain, and is susceptible of 
a brilliant polish, having the appearance of watered satin. Before mahogany 
became in general use in cabinet-making, in the United States, the wood of this 
tree was much employed in the regions where it abounds in the manufacture of 
articles of furniture of the highest degree of beauty. It might also be employed 
in ship- building, and for other purposes of construction, as it unites the proper- 
ties of strength and durability ; but its trunks are rarely found, of late, of sutli- 
cient dimensions to render it available for these purposes. When bruised, the 
leaves diffuse a strong odour, resembling that of the sweet bay, (Laurus nobilis,) 
and may, like them, be employed in cookery. 
In Europe, this species is solely considered as an ornamental tree ; and as it is 
more tender than the sweet bay, it is only suitable for warm and sheltered situa- 
tions, or for being placed against a wall. 
