262 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



Aroiimtic bark is a common characteristic. 

 The bark and roots are ingredients in root beer, 

 and from the bark of the roots oil of sassafras is 

 made. The bark of the Sassafras is much cracked 

 and roughened. Emerson says that, in the south- 

 western parts of the country, the dried leaves 

 of the Sassafras are much used for flavoring 

 soups. Columbus is said to have increased his 

 own hope of being near land, and to have 

 quieted the mutinies of his crew, from catching 

 whiffs of the strong fragrance of the Sassafras. 

 Sassafras roots were a part of the first cargo to 

 be sent from Massachusetts to England. At 

 that time they were much prized for supposed 

 medicinal properties. The wood is brittle, but 

 when seasoned is tough and light. The trees 

 grow rapidly and spread by suckers, often form- 

 ing thickets. The range is through the Missis- 

 sippi valley and eastward. 



ROUND-LEAVED CORNEL OR DOGWOOD 

 Cornus circinata Dogwood Family 



Fruit. — The small drupe is very light blue 

 or white. The fruit develops sparingly and the 



