THE MAGNOLIAS, ETC. 



35 



sets every tooth " on edge " ; this remarkable as- 

 tringency proceeds from the tannin it contains. The 

 wood of the persimmon is close-grained, hard, and 

 blackish in color ; it is peculiarly adapted to carv- 

 ing. The kafci, or Japanese persimmon (JDiospyros 

 kaki\ one of the principal fruit trees of Japan, 

 is now planted in the Southern States, where it seems 

 perfectly at home. It has a picturesque, con- 

 torted figure, large, leathery, shining leaves, 

 and luscious fruit, which sometimes 

 measures two inches in diameter. 

 Carolina Red Bay. Tne Carolina red 



Persea Carolinensis, bay, which grOWS, 

 Pur sea Borbonia. n . 



according to cir- 

 cumstances, 15 or even 70 feet 

 high, is another Southern tree. 

 It is found in the low grounds 

 or swamps of Delaware and 

 the South. Its leaves, two to 

 five inches long, are downy 

 when young, but soon grow 

 smooth ; they are evergreen. 

 The flowers, which appear in 

 summer, are inconspicuous, and 

 of a greenish-white color. The 

 berry, half an inch long, is dark blue with a red 

 stem ; it ripens in autumn. 



Carolina Red Bay, 



