xxvi. ROSA^CEJE: CF/RASUS. 



291 



in all respects like those of C. Mahdkb. The red-fruited variety will ge- 

 nerally come true from seed ; as, doubtless, will the early-flowering and 

 late-flowering varieties, which may be observed in copse woods where this 

 tree abounds. C. P. bracteosa Ser., which is a very remarkable variety, and 

 one which deserves a place in every collection, both on account of its large 

 racemes of flowers and its fruit, will be continued with most certainty by grafting 

 or budding. The leaves are more infested and injured by the larvas of moths 

 and butterflies, than those of any other European tree or shrub. 



t 23. C. VIRGINIANA Michx. .The Virginian Bird-Cherry Tree. 



Identification. Michx. Fl. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 285. ; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 539. ; Don's Mill., 2. p 515. 

 Synonymes. PrChius rubra Ait. Hort. Kew. 1st ed. 2. p. 162., WKld. Abb. 238. t.5. f. 1. ; P. arguta 

 Bigelow in Litt. ; Cerisier de Virginie, Fr. ; Virginische Kirsche, Ger. ; Wild Cherry Tree, Amer. 

 Engravings. Willd. Abb.,'238. t. 5. f. 1. ; Michx. Fl. Arb. Amer., 2. t. 88. ; and owfig. 475. 



Spec. Char., $c. Leaves oblong, acuminate, doubly toothed, smooth ; the pe- 

 tiole bearing about 4 glands. Racemes straight, petals round. Fruit red. 

 Different from the Prunus virginiana of Miller, which is C. (v.) serotina. 

 (Dec. Prod.) A tree attaining a large size. Virginia, Carolina, and Canada. 

 Height, in England, 30 ft. to 40 ft. ; in some parts of North America, 80 ft. to 

 100ft. Introd, 1724. Flowers white ; May. Drupe red; ripe in July. Leaves 

 remaining on late in the season, and dropping, green. Naked young wood 

 slender, purplish, but not spotted with white like C. Padus. 



Readily distinguished from Cerasus Padus by 

 the slender drooping character of its branches. 

 The fruit is frequently ripened in the neighbour- 

 hood of London, and plants in copse woods, 

 which have risen from selfsown seeds, are to be 

 met with in different parts of Surrey. The 

 wood of the Virginia bird cherry is of a light red 

 tint, which deepens with age. It is compact, 

 fine-grained, and takes a brilliant polish ; it is 

 also not liable to warp when perfectly seasoned. 

 In America, it is extensively used by cabinet- 

 makers for every species of furniture. In Eu- 

 rope, C. virginiana is planted solely as an orna- 

 mental tree ; and, as such, it well deserves a 

 place in every collection. It should be planted 

 in every shrubbery or wood where it is desirable 

 to attract frugivorous singing birds. For soil, si- 

 tuation, propagation, culture, &c., see C. Padus. 



24. C. (v.) SERO'TINA Lois. The fate-flowering, or American, 

 Cherry Tree. 



Identification. Lois, in Du Ham., 5. p. 3.; Dec. Prod., 2. 



p. 540. ; Don's Mill., 2. p. 515. 

 Synonymes. Prdnus ser6tina Willd. Abb. 239. ; P. virginiana 



Mill. Diet. No. 2. 

 Engravings. Willd. Abb., 239. t. 5. f/2 ; Wats. Dend. Brit., 



t 48. ; and our figs. 476, 477. 



Spec. Char., fyc. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, rather 

 coriaceous, glossy, serrated ; the teeth imbri- 

 cate, very numerous, and the lowest ones indis- 

 tinctly glanded. Midrib downy at its base. Flo- 

 ral leaves narrowed at the base. Racemes loose. 

 Fruit black. (Dec. Prod.} A middle-sized tree. 

 A native of North America, in Canada and New- 

 foundland. Height 10ft. to 20ft. Introd. 1629. 

 Flowers white ; May and June. Drupe black ; 

 ripe in August. Leaves retained late, and 

 dropping green. Naked young wood slender, 

 purplish. 



u 2 



475. Crasu* virginlhna. 



476. 



