SASSAFRAS OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 3G9 



that from Brazil from S. impyracea, and from New Grenada that 

 of S. syphilitica. S. mauritanica and >S^. aspera, natives of the 

 South of Europe, are hardy in this country in sheltered 

 situations. 



Sarsaparilla, Indian (^Hemidcsmus indicus), a shrub of the 

 Swallowwort family (Asclepiadaceiie). It is a native of India, 

 where its roots are used as a substitute for Sarsaparilla. 



Sassafras Trees, American (Sassafras officinale), a tree of 

 the Laurel family (LauraceDe), native of the United States, where 

 it is extremely abundant from Boston to the banks of the 

 Mississippi, and from the shores of the ocean in Virginia to the 

 remotest wilds of Upper Louisiana ; its usual height is 40 to 50 

 feet, but about 43° north it only attains the size of a large bush. 

 In the southern parts of the country where it is most abundant 

 the air is impregnated with the aroma, wdiich extends a con- 

 siderable distance seaward. The tree forms a large head of hori- 

 zontal branches, furnished in summer with broad, oblong, ellip- 

 tical leaves. Its fruit is a small black drupe, from which a 

 strongly-scented oil is obtained ; it is not palatable, but is greedily 

 eaten by birds ; its bark is aromatic and used medicinally as a 

 tonic. A tree at Kew about 100 years old has attained the height 

 of 40 feet. 



Sassafras, Californian {Oreodaphne califomica), is a large 

 tree of the Laurel family (Lauraceae). It has several names ; 

 such as Spice-bush, Balm of Heaven, Cajeput Tree, etc., which 

 shows it to be a tree of repute as regards its medicinal properties. 

 Its leaves are pungently aromatic ; during high wdnds the aroma 

 is so strong as to cause excessive sneezing. It has been intro- 

 duced into this country under the name of Laurus r eg alls. 



Sassafras, Australian (poryplwra Sassafras), native of 

 New South Wales, and equal in magnitude to the preceding, 

 and belonging to the family Atherospermaceoe. 



Sassafras, Chilian (Laurelia sempervircns), also a large tree 

 similar to the last, native of Chili and Peru. Its fruit is aro- 

 matic ; it has obtained the name of Peruvian Nutmeg, but is of 

 no value. Another Chilian Sassafras is Boldoa fragrans, a small 



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