418 LAURUS SASSAFRAS. 
which, in thirty years after planting, had attained the height of fifty feet, with a 
trunk eighteen inches in diameter. 
In France, in the neighbourhood of Nantes, there is a sassafras, which, in 
twenty-four years after planting, had attained the height of thirty feet, with a 
trunk two feet in diameter. 
Soil, Propagation, <fy*c. The Laurus sassafras will grow in any free soil, 
rather moist than dry, and is generally propagated from seeds, which should be 
sown or put into a rot-heap, as soon as received, as they remain a year, and 
sometimes two or three years, in the ground, before they vegetate. The sassa- 
fras may also be propagated by cuttings of the roots, or by suckers thrown up by 
old trees. The situation where the tree is to be finally planted, should be shel- 
tered ; and, in the northern parts of Britain, as well as in Canada, in order to 
insure fine foliage, it should be planted against a wall. 
Insects. The Laurus sassafras is inhabited by the larva? of various species of 
insects, among which, are those of the black swallow-tail butterfly, {Papilio ilio- 
neus, of Smith and Abbot,) and of the (Attacus promethea, of Harris.) The lat- 
ter usually come to their full size by the beginning of September, when they 
measure two inches or more in length, and about half of an inch in diameter. 
The body of this caterpillar is very plump, and but slightly contracted on the 
back between the rings. It is of a clear, and pale bluish-green colour; the head, 
the feet, and the tail are yellow ; there are about eight warts on each of the 
rings; the two uppermost warts on the top of the second and third rings are 
almost cylindrical, much longer than the rest, and of a rich, coral-red ; all the 
rest of the warts are very small, and of a deep-blue colour. Before entering into 
its chrysalis state, the caterpillar instinctively fastens to the branch, the leaf that 
is to serve for a cover to its cocoon, so that it shall not fall off in autumn, and 
then proceeds to spin on its upper side, bending over the edges to form a hollow, 
within which lies concealed its cocoon. These brown and curled leaves may be 
frequently seen hanging upon the trees during winter, when all the rest of the 
foliage has fallen. If one of these leaves be examined, it will be found to be 
retained by a quantity of silken thread, which is wound round the twig to the 
distance of half an inch or more on each side of the leaf-stalk, and is thence car- 
ried downwards around the stalk to an oval cocoon, that is wrapped up by the 
sides of the leaf. The cocoon itself is about an inch long, of a regular oval shape, 
and consists of two coats. So strong is the coating of silk that surrounds the 
leaf-stalk, and connects the cocoon with the branches, that it cannot be severed 
without considerable force; and consequently, the chrysalis swings securely 
within its leaf-covered hammock, through all the storms of winter.* The sas- 
safras, as well as the balsam poplar, the elm, the dogwood, and the leaves of 
clover and of Indian corn, are fed upon by the Io caterpillar (Saturnia io.) 
Properties and Uses. The wood of the Laurus sassafras, in young trees, is 
white and tender; but in those which exceed fifteen or eighteen inches in diam- 
eter, it is of a reddish cast, and of a more compact grain. It is not, however, in 
the latter respect, to be compared with the oak, as a piece of considerable size 
may be broken with a slight effort. Consequently, the sassafras is of little value 
as a timber-tree, where strength is the object in view. Experience has shown, 
that the wood, stripped of its bark, resists, for a considerable period, the progress 
of decay ; and it is on this account employed for the posts and rails of rural fences. 
It is also sometimes used for joists and rafters in the construction of houses ; and 
is said to be secure from the attacks of insects, an advantage attributed to its 
odour. On this account, it has been employed for trunks, bedsteads, &c. ; but a 
property of this kind is wrongly attributed to this wood, since it is nearly devoid 
of smell after a few months' drying. 
* See Harris' Report, pp. 280 et 281. 
