284 NATURAL HISTORY. 



branching ; leaves blunt, obtuse above, ovate ; flowers 

 yellowish-green, sit closely ; four or five on short, axillary 

 spikes upon the summit of the branch; berries white, 

 globular, and filled with a gum-like, viscid pulp. The 

 root of this parasite is so firmly inserted through the 

 bark into the wood of the tree, that when the trunk is 

 sawed through, the place of conjunction can not be dis- 

 tinguished. The berries are a favorite food with birds 

 particularly thrushes, and, on account of their viscous or 

 glue-like pulp, together with the whole plant, are used 

 for making bird-lime. T^- 



THIRTY-FIFTH FAMILY. CORNACE^. CORNELS. 

 Cornus, Tourne., Endl. Chiefly small trees and shrubs. 

 The species best known in the United States is 



The Dogwood Flowering Cornus (Cornus mas- 

 cula), a small tree, or large shrub, with numerous smooth 

 branches ; leaves oval and pointed. Blooms very early 

 in spring. Flowers, yellowish-white, hang in terminal 

 capitate clusters ; corolla, greenish or red. Fruit oblong ; 

 when ripe, red and glassy ; seed solitary, also oblong ; 

 pendulous ; has a subacid taste, and is eaten fresh or 

 preserved. 



THIRTY-SIXTH FAMILY. RUBIACEVE. MADDER- 

 WORTS. Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Contains many varie- 

 ties of most valuable plants. 



The Wood- Warden (Asperulaodorata), likely Sweet- 

 Scented Bed Straw (Gallium trifolium), of Michx., has 

 a smooth, erect stalk ; leaves oval-lanceolate ; blooms in 

 white tufts or tassels ; fruit covered with hooked prickles ; 

 native of Europe ; about one foot high ; grows in cleared 

 spots or on wooded hills ; odor very fragrant ; taste some- 

 what bitter; used in the preparation of medicated wine 

 (hippocras). ^4 . 



