FOREST TREES. 117 
Nyssa multiflora—Black Gum, Tupelo, Pepperidge. 
Leaves, oval, or obovate, commonly acuminate, 
glabrous, or villous pubescent when young, shining 
above, when old; fertile flowers, three to eight; fruit, 
ovoid, bluish black. 
The Black Gum is a middle sized tree, and is found 
from Massachusetts to Illinois, and southward. It 
grows both in wet and dry soils. The fibres of the 
wood are so interwoven that it is almost impossible 
to split it; hence it is used for wagon hubs, rollers 
and cylinders. It is held in some estimation for 
ornamental purposes. Meehan says it is indispens- 
able. It is difficult to transplant unless often 
removed, or root-pruned in the nursery. It is raised 
from seed, which commonly remains in the ground a 
year before vegetating. 
Nyssa uniflora—Large Tupelo. 
Leaves, oblong or ovate, entire or angular-toothed, 
long petioled; fertile flowers, solitary on a slender 
peduncle; fruit, oblong, blue. 
This species is found only in the Southern States, 
where it often grows in water three or four feet deep. 
It is a large tree, with very soft, spongy wood, which 
is only used to make bowls and trays. The wood of 
the roots is sometimes used for corks. It is a hand- 
some ornamental tree. 
OSTRYA. 
Natural Order, Cupulifere. 
Sterile flowers in catkins of about twelve stamens 
in the axil of a scale-like bract, filaments somewhat - 
