ITaxdbook of Tkkks of tiik Xortitkkx States axd Caxada. 



Tlie Cock-Spur Tliorn is ;i low wido-sprcad- 

 ing tree with Inw^ tortuous liorizoutal or 

 drooping and wry thorny liranclics. t'ormin,!,' ;i 

 low broad top, sei(h)in more than "iO or 2.5 ft. 

 in height. 'I'iie short trunk randy exceeds 10 

 or 12 ill. ill diameter and is n)iigli with scaly 

 gray-brown liaik. It is one of tiie most strik- 

 ing and ornamental representatives of its genus 

 on account of its thick sliiiiing dark-green 

 leaves. The luster of those is seldom tariiishcd 

 by insect or hliglit. and they preserve a fresh- 

 ness throughout the season which is unsur- 

 passed by till' leaves of any otiier tree. T\\v 

 ample bunches of handsome llowers ap])eir 

 after the leaves are fully grown, and tlien t'lc 

 tree is an object of rare beauty. It is perhaps 

 more extensively planted both in this conntry 

 and in Europe for ornamental piirjioses than 

 any other American siiecics. excepting perliaps 

 the Washington Haw. and it is also valiM'd 

 for hedges. The name Newcastle Thorn lia-^ 

 been given to it on 'account of its abundant 

 use in hedges about Newcastle, Del. 



Its wood is heavy, hard, very finc-graineil 



and suitable for tool handles. ^ 



Lrnrrx mostly obovate. 1-4 in. long, cuneate and 

 entire at base. aciUe or ronn<liHl at ape.K. shariilv 

 serrate-rlontate. thick, coriaccons. lustrous dark 

 sreen above, paler and prominently roticulato- 

 veined bi-neath. turn ins; to orant;i> and scarb^t in 

 autumn : petiob^s stout. FJninrx opening in .Tune 

 -■J in. in diametei- in many-flowered glabrous 

 corymbs: cnlyx witli narrow obconic tube and 

 linear-lanceolate entire or glandular-serrate lobes : 

 stamens 10, anthers rose-colored : styles usuallv 

 2. hairy at base. Fruit maturing in October and 

 often remaining on the branches until sn'in'i', 

 subglobose or short-oblong, dull red with glaucous 

 bloom, with dry flesh and usually 2 nutlets I4 in. 

 long, rounded at ends and ridged on the back.= 



1. A. \V., IV, s.-i. 



2. For genus see p. 440. 



