Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 289 



not much subject to warping, and much superior to that of the 

 white elm. 



269. HACKBERRY; SUGAR-BERRY 



CELTIS OCCIDENTALIS L. 



Not especially common ; a large tree noted full of fruit October 

 25, 1904, on the east side, by the Maxinkuckee road, and a young 

 tree by the pawpaw grove, farther down. More trees were noted 

 near a woodland pond back beyond Van Schoiack's. Trees along 

 Yellow River, where it was rather common, had the leaves mottled 

 by quadrate white patches, which gave them a peculiar appearance. 



The tree is of very little value as a timber tree and irredeem- 

 ably homely. The berries which resemble small wild cherries in 

 appearance have an insipid sweetish pulp and remain on the trees 

 all winter. In early spring they offer great attraction to the birds, 

 and trees in parks at Washington, D. C., used to be thickly cov- 

 ered by grackles, cedar-birds, etc., which feed on the fruit. 



FAMILY 39. HORACES. MULBERRY FAMILY 

 270. RED MULBERRY 



MORUS RUBRA L. 



Rather common northeast of the lake and occasional on the east 

 side. Noted in flower May 28, 1901. Remarkable for its heter- 

 ophylly, the leaves of young trees being much lobed and divided, 

 those of middle age being two or three-lobed, somewhat resembling 

 the leaf of sassafras in outline, and the leaves of old trees being en- 

 tire. The fruit which varies considerably in size is all pretty much 

 alike in flavor, rather insipidly sweet, considerably like figs. It 

 is superior to that of most Russian mulberry trees, but is little 

 used. It affords considerable food for birds. 



271. RUSSIAN MULBERRY 



MORUS ALBA TARTARICA L. 



Once planted for ornament or fruit, this plant propagates read- 

 ily by seed scattered by birds and seedlings. Trees eight feet 

 high are now fairly common about the lake. Young seedlings 

 are frequently observed coming up in bunches as if every seed in a 

 "berry" had germinated. Trees were leafing out and showing 

 flower buds May 9, 1901, and were shedding leaves rapidly 

 October 25, 1900. The fruit is quite variable but usually of 

 poor flavor, much inferior to that of the white mulberry, M. alba. 

 It continues ripening for a long time and forms a great attraction 

 for birds. 



19 17618 Vol. 2 



