Handbook of Treks of tiik Xoktiierx States and Canada. 221 



Tlie Bed Bw ranges from 50 ft., or less, to 

 7{i ft. in lieijjlit , witli stout erect braiiclies and 

 furmin.i^ a syimiietrieal toj). It< Irunk is rarely 

 more tlian ." or ;)'■_. ft. in diameter, and is 

 vested ill a irray-hrown scaly ridged bark. 



It inhabits rieh moist soil along tlie borders 

 of stjeams and swamps or oeeasionalh' drier 

 sandy soil, associating with tlie Live. Water 

 and Laurel Oaks, tlie ^'au])^n. Devil-wood. 

 Laurel Ciicriy, C'iil)an Pine. etc. 



Tiiougli rarely seen in cultivation the Red 

 Bay is uell wortiiy of being planted for orna- 

 mental jHirposes. as it is one of the most beau- 

 tiful eversreen trees of the American forests, 

 with its brigiit green leaves and red-stemmed 

 clusters of blue berries. 



A cul)ic foot of the absolutely dry wood 



weighs 40.07 lbs. Tt is of medium hardness 



and strength and of a reddisji brown color with 



tiiin sap-wood, an 1 is used in the manufacture 



of lumber for interior finishing, furniture, etc., 



and formerly for boat building. 2 



Lriircs ol)lon2;-lanoeolatp, about equally pointed 

 at l)oth ends, with entire I'evolute margins, pilose 

 at first but at maturity lustrous brisht green 

 above, paler and glaucous beneath, thick and firm, 

 veins rather obscure and arcuate near the margin : 

 pptioles and new growths puberulous or nearly 

 glabrous. Flo)i'e);'i with glabrous peduncles mostly 

 from V2-I in. long: calyx pale yellow. Fruit 

 lustrous dark blue, about V, in. or less in diameter 

 with thin flesh and red stems. 



1. Pcrsra Carolinensis Nees. 



2. A. \V.. XI. 204. 



