448 DECIDUOUS TREES. 



THE AMERICAN HORNBEAM. Carpinus americana. 



A small tree with wiry branches and dark-colored bark, resem- 

 bling the beech somewhat in its mode of growth, but thinner in 

 foliage and more irregular in form. Height fifteen to twenty-five 

 feet. It has been recommended to plant for screens, but we 

 have perceived no peculiar beauty or advantage it has for that 

 purpose ; but it occasionally develops into a pretty isolated tree, of 

 airy outline. 



The English Hornbeam, C. betula, is a larger tree than ours, 

 with the same general character. 



The Iron- wood or Hop Hornbeam, Ostrya virginica, is a 

 small native tree, remarkable for the extreme hardness and weight 

 of its wood, but of no peculiar beauty. It grows slowly, and forms 

 a compact little tree, with small dark leaves. Its bark is known at 

 a glance by the extreme fineness of its furrows. Height fifteen to 

 twenty-five feet. 



THE LABURNUM. Cyiissus. 



In England' and Scotland few small' trees are more planted in 

 ornamental grounds than the laburnum; but our climate does not 

 seem to suit them, so that although long cultivated in the older 

 parts of the country,' a fine specimen is rarely seen. 



The Common Labttrnum oR' Golden Chain, C. laburnum, is 

 a low tree or big bush from twenty to thirty feet high, of irregular 

 outline: Theflowers are iii pendant ■ raCemes six inches long, of a 

 bright yellow color, and appfeaf in May; The leaves are alternate, 

 and composed of ■ three oval-acute le'aflfetS two to thr'ee' inches in 

 length. Young wood greSn. ' Decaying leaves yellbw. ' The seeds 

 are contained in'iperidtilous'pdds: ■ •' • • 



The Weeping Laburnum, C. I. petidula, of this species, is hot 

 sufficiently hardy and vigorous to be desirable. 



