Chionanthus — Fringe Tree. 241 



own people who were interested in the study of the forests 

 and fields. As long ago as 1785 the distinguished Hum- 

 phrey Marshall, a botanist as well as a statesman and jurist, 

 wrote concerning it : " This shrub grows naturally in sev- 

 eral places in North America, in a moist soil ; rising 

 to the height of fifteen to twenty feet, spreading "into 

 many branches, and covered with a light-colored bark. 

 The leaves are large, oblong, and entire, placed nearly 

 opposite. The flowers are produced towards the extremity 

 of the shoots of the previous year, upon short, leafy, com- 

 mon footstalks, at the bottom of the leaves of which the 

 proper footstalks come out ; and are divided for the most 

 part into three parts, but often more ; each sustaining one 

 small flower with four very long, narrow petals, which, 

 when well grown, make a beautiful appearance. These 

 are succeeded by oval berries of a livid blackish color 

 when ripe, each containing one hard, oblong, pointed seed. 

 The bark of the root of this shrub, bruised and applied to 

 fresh wounds, is accounted by the natives a specific in 

 healing them without suppuration." 



About the only criticism that has been noted on this 

 remarkable plant is based upon the fact that its leaves do 

 not appear until so late in spring as to unfit it for artistic 

 grouping with other sorts, since its branches are bare and 

 apparently dead while everything about it is clothed with 

 verdure. For this reason it may be objectionable where 

 especial effects are sought for that particular period, and 

 this should be considered in planting. But, though late 

 in coming, the foliage when fully expanded is all that can 

 be desired. The leaves are deep green and glossy, large 



