THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 131 



die and Lower. It seldom exceeds 40 feet in height, 

 with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches. The young 

 branches have a smooth silver-gray bark, by which it 

 can be distinguished in Winter from the other species. 

 The leaves are quite large, 6 to 8 inches broad, deep 

 green above, and with a silver-white down under- 

 neath. 



3. Southern Linn. (T. pubescens. Ait.)— This 

 is confined to the Lower Districts of the Southern 

 States, choosing cool fertile soils upon the borders of 

 swamps and rivers. It is 40 to 50 feet high, resem- 

 bling No. 1, of which it may be only a variety. The 

 leaves are 2 to 4 inches broad, shaped as in No. 1, 

 the edges with fewer and more distant teeth than in 

 No. 2, and with a rusty, thin, vanishing down on the 

 underside. 



Sour Wood. Sorrel Tree. (Oxydendrum ar- 

 boreum, DC.) — This extends from Pennsylvania 

 southward, especially along the mountain valleys. 

 In our Lower District it is rare, not uncommon in 

 the Middle, but is most abundant in the lower parts 

 of the mountains. It is usually a small tree, but in 

 some localities, as on the upper waters of the Ca- 

 tawba, it attains a height of 50 to 60 feet, and a 

 diameter of 12 to 15 inches. The wood is of no value. 

 The leaves, which are not unlike those of the Peach, 

 are acid like Sorrel, from whence its names are de- 

 rived. These, in the absence of Sumach, are some- 

 times used for dyeing wool of a black color. The 

 small flowers, about the size and form of those of our 



