THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 93 



flowing. The small leaves, however, determine the 

 species. 



3. Slippery Elm. (U. fulva, Michx.)— Widely 

 diffused over North America, but in no localities so 

 abundant as either of the preceding. It is occasion- 

 ally met w^ith in our Lower District, but more fre- 

 quently in the Middle, and to some extent in the 

 Upper. It is from 30 to 50 feet high, and 12 to 18 

 inches through. The wood is coarser than that of 

 the other species, but is stronger and more durable, 

 when exposed to the weather, than the common Elm, 

 and is sometimes used in the Western States in build- 

 ings and vessels. For ship blocks it is said to be of 

 the highest value. As the trunk splits well, it is 

 convenient for the making of rails, which are very 

 durable. The inner bark of this tree, es]3ecially of 

 the branches, contains a large amount of mucilage 

 which is serviceable in colds and bronchial affections, 

 and for emollient plasters. 



TREES BEARING FLESHY FRUIT. 



The next Group comprises those trees which have 

 a fruit more or less fleshy^ whether sto7ie fruit like 

 Plums and Cherries, or those which contain seeds 

 like the Crab Apple, and those smaller forms which 

 would popularly be called Berries. 



1. Red Plum. (Prunus Americana, Marsli.) — A 

 small tree or shrub not uncommon from Canada to 



