92 



common tree in Essex County, yet there are several fine specimens to 

 be found, and young trees are frequently met with. Mr. Sears noticed 

 one tree in Beverly 5 feet 4 inches in circumference three feet from 

 the ground, with a height of about 50 to 60 feet, and another in 

 Danvers was 5 feet 6 inches at one foot from the ground, and about 

 60 feet high. 



The largest specimen, however, yet noticed in the county, is the old 

 tree fast going to decay, at Manchester, in a field quite near the town, 

 which, in 1875, measured, 



Circumferences feet 10 inches, 2 feet from the ground. 



" 6 " 10 " 6 ' " " " 



Height about 40 feet. 



Lindera Benzoin, Meisner. (SPICE-BUSH.) A shrub of consid- 

 erable size, frequently found in damp woods. 



THYMELEACE.S5. 



(MEZEREUM Family.) 



DAPHNK MEZERKUM was found, evidently escaped, perhaps from 

 seeds carried by birds, in Ipswich, by Dr. Palmer, in 1870, and later 

 in Salem, by Henry Patch. The same thing occurred at Portland, 

 where Dr. Wm. Wood found the plant in quite a remote situation. 



Dirca palustris is probably not a native of the county, but common 

 farther northward. It is occasionally met with in cultivation. 



TTRTICACEJE. 



(NETTLE Family.) 



TTlmus fulva, Michx. (SLIPPERY ELM.) Georgetown (Mrs. 

 Homer), Wenham, Boxford. This tree is comparatively rare in the 

 county, but still is found growing to considerable size, seldom, how- 

 ever, over a foot in diameter, or over 35 feet high. 



irinms Americana, L. (WHITE ELM.) Although the Connecticut 

 Valley is the region where this species arrives at its greatest perfec- 

 tion, yet Essex County can boast of many magnificent specimens of 

 this noble Elm, which, planted as a shade tree, in proper situations, 

 has no equal. It is greatly to be regretted that the largest of these 

 trees seem to be dying out, and few are likely to replace them in the 

 next generation. 



In form, the county Elms vary as in other localities, in regard to 

 shape, having the "Oak," "Vase," and intermediate forms. Mr. 

 Sears gives the measurements of several, among which one in Lynn is, 



Circumference 11 feet 4 inches, 1 foot from ground. 

 " 10 " 5 feet " " 



