180 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



coarse cordage and matting. In Europe this kind of 

 stuff is called Bast (whence the name of Bass Wood)^ 

 and large quantities are exported from Russia. The 

 bark also contains a good deal of mucilage, from 

 which liniments are prepared for burns and scalds. 

 In Europe, the honey made from the flowers of the 

 Linn is considered the best in the world, and when 

 made exclusively from them, sells for more than 

 double the price of any other. The flowers of our 

 American species would very likely serve as well in 

 improving the quality of honey. There are but 3 

 species of Linn in the United States, and all are 

 found in North Carolina. The flowers of the Linn 

 are small, cream-colored, growing in loose clusters 

 upon a common stem which is attached to the middle 

 of a narrow, strap-like leaf or bract; — a character 

 that will distinguish these trees from all others. 



1. American Linn. (Tilia Americana, Linn.) — 

 This is found from Canada to Georgia ; in this State 

 confined to the mountains and the upper part of the 

 Middle District. It is a handsome tree, 50 to 80 

 feet high, 1 to 4 in diameter. The leaves are 8 to 4 

 inches broad, heart-shaped, but one side smaller than 

 the other at the base, smooth or nearly so, and paler 

 green on the underside. The timber of this species 

 is considered more valuable than that of the others. 



2. White Linn. (T. heterophylla. Vent.) — 

 More abundant in the Middle and Western States 

 than elsewhere. In this State it is most common in 

 the Upper District, but occurs sparingly in the Mid- 



