54. ACER NBGUKDO BOX-ELDER. 17 



is quite similar to that of the Elder, and the leaves very much resemble 

 in general appearance those of the Ash, but more closely those of the 

 Poison Ivy (Rhus Toxicodendron}. 



HABITAT. A tree of very wide geographical distribution, being found 

 in western New England and thence westward to the base of the Rocky 

 Mountains, and southward to Florida, Texas and into Mexico. West of 

 the Great Lakes it ranges northward into Manitoba, and the California!! 

 variety extends its range to the Pacific coast in that State. It grows in 

 moist bottom-lands and along the borders of streams, reaching its 

 greatest development in the valley of the Ohio river. 



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

 and of a light yellowish color with abundant lighter sap wood. Specific 

 Gravity, 0.4328; Percentage of Ash, 1.07; Relative Approximate Fuel 

 Value, 0.4282; Coefficient of Elasticity, 58156; Modulus of Rupture, 

 529; Resistance to Longitudinal Pressure, 322; Resistance to Indenta- 

 tion, 111; Weight of a Cubic Foot in Pounds, 26.97. 



USES. The wood of this tree is occasionally used for interior finish- 

 ing, wooden-ware, paper-palp, cooperage, fuel, etc. Maple sugar is 

 sometimes made from its sap, though in smaller quantity in proportion 

 to the amount of sap than with the Sugar Maple. 



For ornamental purposes the tree is of considerable value in its natural 

 foliage, but there are also variegated and highly colored sports which are 

 very popular and more highly valued. 



MEDICINAL PROPERTIES are not officinally recognized of this species. 



ORDER ROSACES: ROSE FAMILY. 



Leaves alternate and with stipules which sometimes fall early or are rarely want- 

 ing. Flowers regular; sepals 5 or rarely fewer, united at the base and often fur- 

 nished outside with bractlets resembling the sepals; petals as many as the sepals, 

 or, rarely, wanting, distinct and inserted on a disk which lines the calyx-tube; stamens 

 distinct, numerous ("with rare exceptions) and inserted with the petals on the disk of 

 the calyx tube ; pistils 1-many distinct or united and often combined with the calyx- 

 tube. Fruit various, as drupe, pome, achenium, etc.; seeds solitary or few, mostly 

 albumenless, with straight embryo and large thick cotyledons. 



Trees, shrubs and herbs, many of great economic value in the production of most 

 useful fruits, beautiful flowers, choice perfumes, etc. 



GENUS PRUXCTS, TOURN. 



Leaves simple; stipules free and commonly deciduous.. Flowers perfect, with 

 calyx regular, free and falling away after flowering; petals widely spreading; sta- 

 mens 15-30; pistil solitary with style terminal or nearly so and ovary containing 2 

 pendulous ovules. Fruit a drupe, fleshy with a smooth 1-seeded (rarely 2-seeded) 

 stone. , 



Trees, and shrubs. ("Prunus" is the ancient Latin name of the plum-tree.) 



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