Hamamelis — Witch Hazel. 293 



can origin, one probably a native of China, and the third 

 of Japan. In this country H. virginica is best known, as 

 it grows freely over a large portion of our extended 

 domain. It rises at its best from twenty to thirty feet, 

 but is usually of much smaller dimensions. In most cases 

 it assumes a bushy form with several stems springing from 

 a common root, each branching freely so as to form a 

 somewhat open and broad head. Occasionally it takes the 

 form of a small tree, branching near the ground so as to 

 still give it a shrubby appearance. Its chief peculiarity is 

 in its flowers and fruit. The former are gathered in ax- 

 illary clusters of three or four, are bright yellow, and, 

 though small, especially interesting from both a botanical 

 and horticultural standpoint. Nicholson, in \\i5 Dictwnaiy 

 of Gardenings says : " During the autumn and winter 

 they begin to expand before the leaves of the previous 

 summer drop off, and continue on the bush through the 

 winter ; after the petals drop off in the spring the persist- 

 ent calyces remain until the leaves re-appear in April or 

 May." This is the English description, and it answers to 

 what is known of the plant at home. It is no uncommon 

 thing to see these blossoms at any time between October 

 and March, as the bush is found skirting the forest or 

 growing along the banks of brooklets from New England 

 to Texas. They are followed by two-celled, woody pods, 

 each containing a small nut which is edible and quite 

 agreeable to the taste. The pods mature late in the fol- 

 lowing season, and often not until flowering time. The 

 leaves contain a large amount of tannin, and the product 

 is used as an astringent and for other medical purposes. 



