THE TULIP TREE AND SASSAFRAS. 



41 



of from 50 to 60 feet. Sassafras is found throughout 

 the North and West, from eastern Massachusetts to 

 Iowa, Kansas, and Indian Territory ; southward it ex- 

 tends as far as central Florida, and from there to 

 Texas. 



The leaves have three distinct forms, each of 

 which I have sketched ; the texture is smooth, and 

 rather thick. Although all parts of the tree are aro- 

 matic,* it will he found that 

 the bark of the roots is bit- 

 ingly strong, and from 

 this the oil of sassafras 

 is distilled ; it is most- 

 ly made in Pennsylva- 

 nia and Virginia. The 

 bark of a young tree is 

 a warm, buffish gray 

 streaked with green ; 

 the twigs are shiny yel- 

 lowish green. The fruit, 



which is ripe in September, is small, oval, one-seeded, 

 bluish, and has a reddish, rather fleshy, club-shaped 

 stem. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish yel- 

 low, and appear in early spring with the. developing 

 leaves. I have never found the sassafras in the 



Sassafras 



* The leaves furnish the flavoring used in gumbo soup. 



