42 



TREES GROWING NEAR WATER. 



and that the opossums climb it in search of its fruit is not 

 unknown to them. 



De possum thought he kno' de world 



And he climb de old gum tree ; 

 He neber saw what I can do 



When my surest gun's with me. 



In connection with the old plantation days of the south a 

 story is told of the gum tree. Its wood is very hard and does 

 not split readily, and it was therefore thought desirable on 

 Christmas day to use one of its largest trunks as the back log 

 of a great fire that was kindled on the hearth. As long as it 

 burned no work was required to be done on the plantation. 

 The negroes knew this custom and as soon as the sap had 

 ceased to flow downward in the autumn they would cut a tree 

 and sink it in the river bed. There it peacefully remained and 

 absorbed water ; and they forgot its existence until shortly 

 before Christmas. With much trepidation it was then taken 

 up and presented as the one chosen to be the back log. In its 

 saturated condition it naturally burned, when once ignited by 

 the immense heat of the fire, for a long time. It sometimes 

 smouldered for weeks ; and we may imagine with what innocent 

 wonder it was watched by those enjoying the holiday. 



In Virginia the light yellow wood of the gum tree is used in 



ship building ; but as a rule it is 

 not adapted to purposes where long 

 lengths are needed. It is admirable 

 for the making of pulleys and the 

 hubs of wheels. 



Nyssa biflbra y or water tupelo, 

 (Plate X.) is a very similar tree to 

 the preceding species and was for- 

 merly regarded as a mere variety. 

 Its foliage and fruit are smaller and 

 the stone that the drupe encloses is 

 Nfssa bijibra. flattened and much more ridged than 



