294 The Sweet- Gum: The Magnolias. 



northward, is found in swamps, and is reputed to be poisonous to 

 sheep, when its leaves are eaten. The honey gathered by bees from 

 the laurels is also said to be poisonous. A drab-colored dye is got 

 from the leaves, using copperas as a mordant. The K. glatica of 

 California is an humble shrub. 



The Sweet-Gum (Genus lAquidambar). 



1200. Of this there are two si)ecies ; one American, the other a 

 native of Asia-Minor. The former of these (L. slyradflud) occurs 

 widely distributed from New England to Mexico, and from the 

 states bordering upon the Great Lakes to Louisiana and Florida. It 

 prefers a deep, fertile soil, exposed to temporary inundations, and 

 attains a large size in the Southern States. A tree is mentioned by 

 Michaux as found growing in a swamp near Augusta,.Gu. , that was 

 iifteen feet and seven inches in circumference at five feet from the 

 ground. 



1201. In very warm climates a balsamic secretion is obtained from 

 this tree. It comes from Mexico under the name of " copalin resin." 

 It has some - use in medicine, and is used as a perfume. The wood 

 is compact, fine-grained, and susceptible of a bright polish. The 

 heart-wood is reddish, and marked transversely with blackish belts. 

 It is used to some extent for cabinet-wares and inside finishing, but 

 does not bear exposure to the open air. It is cultivated in Eu- 

 rope, but does not there bear seeds. 



The Magnolias (Genus Magnolia). 



1202. There are fourteen species of the magnolia, of which six 

 occur in Japan, and eight are natives of the United States and Mex- 

 ico. Our native magnolias chiefly occur eastward of the Alle- 

 ghenies, and prefer a mild climate and a moist and fertile soil. 



1203. The "Cucumber Tree" {Magnolia ammhiata). This oc- 

 curs in the states north of the Ohio river in great perfection, aud 

 grows to a large size. It is also found in the western parts of New 

 York and Pennsylvania, in West Virginia, and the South-western 

 States. Its leaves are deciduous, and under culti ration they fall 

 into varieties difiering in shades of color, forms of leaf, and tints of 

 flowers. 



1204. It prefers a deep, rather damp and argillaceous soil, and a 

 climate rather moist and not too cold. The seeds do best when 



