TREES GROWING IN RICH SOIL. 157 



below, with minute white pubescence; aromatic. Flowers: white; almost 

 scentless; growing in umbels of four or five from long, slender pedicels from 

 separate, lateral buds. Calyx ; with five recurved sepals. Corolla : of five 

 rosaceous petals. Stamens : numerous, of different lengths. Pistil : one. Fruit: 

 a light red drupe; round, about the size of a full-grown pea, and tipped with 

 a remnant of the style ; sour. 



In the early spring woods, when but feeble suggestions are 

 to be seen of the swelling foliage and a full-grown leaf is an 

 expectation, it is very pleasant to find the red cherry. At all 

 seasons of the year there is a sprightly, crisp charm about the 

 tree ; but it then claims our attention as being one of the first 

 that have ventured into bloom. The delicate, white blossoms 

 unfold with the leaves, or when they are partly grown, and 

 might almost be mistaken for belated snowflakes that are 

 slowly dropping through the branches. As they fall away the 

 fresh, green leaves which have been folded together lengthwise 

 in the bud begin to spread themselves. They ever retain a 

 wavy, curving edge. In the autumn they turn a bright yellow. 

 The tree germinates readily, and its seeds are deposited by 

 birds that greedily eat its fruit. In many places the red cherry 

 is abundantly seen among the shrubbery of the waysides, al- 

 though it then seldom attains a full development. The tree is 

 short lived. In the fruit herbalists have found medicinal prop- 

 erties. 



P. Mahaleb, perfumed cherry, or Mahaleb, is a small tree, or 

 sometimes a shrub which is becoming frequent in this country 

 along the waysides and in waste places. It comes from Europe 

 where its wood is largely used in cabinet work. The particu- 

 lar charm about it is the fragrance of its white blossoms. They 

 grow in corymbed clusters on the young, leafy branches of the 

 season, and unfold at the same time as the smooth, ovate 

 leaves. The drupe is almost black and tinged with red. 



