1. MAGNOLIA AC UM IN ATA CUCUMBER TREE. 39 



both sides and slightly pubescent beneath; leaf -buds silky. Flowers (May, June) 

 erect, of feeble odor, oblong, bell-shaped with obovate petals about 2 .or 3 in. (5 to 

 8 cm.) in length, glaucous, greenish or bluish tinged with yellow. Fruit a cone 

 2-3 in. (5-8 cm.) long, usually somewhat curved, giving the appearance of a cucum- 

 ber; whence the common name Cucumber Tree. 



Fresh bark and leaves, when bruised, of a pleasant, aromatic odor and a bitter, 

 aromatic flavor. (Specific name, acuminata, is Lat. for made pointed, acuminate, and 

 is here applied to the shape of the leaf.) 



A large, handsome and symmetrically shaped tree, sometimes reaching 

 the height of 100 ft. (30 m.), with a trunk 4 ft. (1.22 m.) in diameter, 

 straight and cylindrical. It is particularly handsome when in bloom, 

 as then the light green or yellowish blossoms show very prettily against 

 the rich, dark green and rather dense foliage. Later, its curious fruit 

 with dangling bright red seeds, gives the tree from near by, another, 

 yet quite as pretty, aspect. 



HABITAT. Western New York to Illinois and southward along the 

 Alleganies to the Gulf States, in rich, deep soil, particularly along slopes 

 where the air is moist from the proximity of water. Eeaches its greatest 

 development in the southern part of its range. 



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. Wood soft, light, close-grained, durable and 

 compact, yielding a satiny finish. Sap-wood is nearly white and the 

 heart of a yellowish brown or somewhat olive color. The end of the 

 grain in the log, assumes, soon after being cut, a bluish color. Specific 

 Gravity, 0.4090; Percentage of Ash, 0.29; Relative Approximate Fuel 

 Value, 0.4676; Coefficient of Elasticity, 92817; Modulus of Rupture, 

 671; Resistance to Longitudinal Pressure, 415; Resistance to Indentation, 

 107; Weight of a Cubic Foot in Pounds, 29.23. 



USES. This wood is extensively worked into furniture, especially of 

 the cheaper grades, crates, packing-boxes, etc. It quite closely resem- 

 bles the Tulip-wood, with which it is often confounded by careless 

 observers, and, like that wood, is largely used in interior-finishing, as for 

 doors, wainscots, etc. Its compactness makes it especially useful for 

 bowls, troughs, general wooden- ware, pump-logs, cheese-boards, etc., 

 for which it is extensively employed. 



MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. The bark of this species, and also that of 

 other Magnolias, is officinal and possesses gently stimulant, aromatic, 

 tonic and diaphoretic properties. The bark of the root is richest in 

 these properties. It is useful in chronic rheumatism, and capable, if 

 freely given, of arresting the paroxysms of intermittent fever. It has 

 been used advantageously in these complaints and in remittents, especi- 

 ally of a typhoid character. The dose of the recently dried bark in 

 powder is from half a drachm to a drachm (1.95 to 3.9 Gm.), frequently 

 repeated. The infusion may also be used, but is less efficient. Diluted 

 alcohol extracts all the virtues of the medicine; and a tincture, made by 



