FLOWERING SHKUBS 



of the Mezereum family;* it has neither the fragrance nor 

 the dark glossy foliage of the Daphne or Spurge Laurel of 

 the English gardens; but, nevertheless, forms a pretty 

 addition to our garden shrubberies, the early blossom, abun- 

 dant foliage and light scarlet globular berries being very 

 attractive. The New England people call the plant Moose- 

 wood, in allusion to the hairy covering of the flower-buds ; 

 the Canadians call it Leatherwood, and the Indian name 

 for it is TVycopy, meaning a thong, on account of its tough 

 leathery bark. The specific name, palustris, would imply 

 that it was more particularly a marsh -loving plant; but the 

 Leatherwood may be found frequently growing on dry, 

 gravelly ground, and is by no means confined to wet, marshy 

 soil. Dr. Gray says : " The name of a fountain near Thebes 

 was applied by Linnaeus to this North American genus for 

 no imaginable reason, unless because the bush frequently 

 grows near mountain rivulets." 



This shrub is found all over the Eastern Provinces of 

 the Dominion and has also a wide northerly range. I 

 know of no especial uses, excepting the one already named, 

 among the settlers in the backwoods and the Indians, who 

 use the bark as loose handles for their bark baskets used in 



rough work. 



> 



FEVERBUSH SPICEBUSH Lindera Benzoin (Meisner). 



This highly fragrant shrub is commonly found growing in 

 low, wet, marshy ground, and is sought for by the Indians 



* The beautiful Daphne Mezereum, shown on Plate XVI., is not a native of Canada, 

 although it is occasionally found growing wild in the woods near towns. The seeds may 

 possibly have been carried there by birds. Some kinds of finches are said to eat the 

 showy scarlet berries notwithstanding their intense acridity. This shrub was brought 

 to America from Europe, but is thought to be of Eastern origin. The Persians call it 

 Madzaryoum, from which word its specific name is derived. The pretty rose-colored 

 sweet-scented flowers are produced in abundance along the naked branches in early 

 spring, before the smooth green leaves unfold, followed later in the summer by clusters 

 of bright scarlet berries. J.F. 



149 i 



