55 



mulberry tree and also on a young elm close by. The proposed 

 introduction of a silk industry into America over fifty years 

 ago was necessarily abandoned when it was learned that the 

 silk from these cocoons was not of high grade; the silk can not 

 be reeled, but is carded and then spun into a coarse material. 



As we went through Cooper Street, a Japan Pagoda Tree 

 {Sophora japonica) was an object of unusual interest to many 

 who had never before seen this valuable tree. It was still bear- 

 ing much of the fruit which formed a heavy crown earlier in 

 the winter. In the Orient the flowers, buds, bark, roots, and 

 wood of this species are utilized commercially, and even the 

 pods produce an important medicine. A good specimen of 

 Broussonetia papyrifera near by was also illuminating to the 

 student, inasmuch as this particular tree showed to advantage 

 both opposite and alternate buds. 



Passing over much historic ground we entered Inwood Park 

 where close by as recently as 1925 was unearthed the lower jaw 

 of a mastodon. The commencement of the magnificent stand 

 of tulip trees greeted our sight here, and several cameras were 

 focussed on a most unique object, a young black birch growing 

 out of the trunk of one of these superb Liriodendrons. We 

 examined the very beautiful bursting buds on Ulmus ftilva, 

 noted the tortuous branching of old Sassafras trees, and found 

 the new plants of Leonurus Cardiaca. Paulownias with their 

 upright paniculate flower-bud clusters attracted attention. 



It was a bit early in the season to hope for many migrant 

 birds but already the "Red-wings" were up, and our cus- 

 tomary winter residents were heard and seen from time to time. 

 The marsh on the way to the "Great Tree" was resplendent 

 with the staminate catkins of Alnus rugosa; and we were sur- 

 prised to come upon Symplocarpus foetidus in an advanced 

 stage. In all likelihood this is the last showing of the species 

 on Manhattan Island. Presently we came to Shora-kap-kok, 

 the dell which is replete with Indian lore and where there is 

 now an Indian Museum. The Museum was opened for us, and 

 Mr. Reginald Pelham Bolton, historian of Inwood, told of 

 the efforts to preserve the spot and to bring back some of the 

 wild-flower life to the region. 



Spirits were high and the day fair, and many who had not 

 before crossed these paths marvelled at the variety of woody 



