Handkciok of Tkees of the Xoi;riiEi;A States aau Cax\ada. 345 



This interesting tree attains the licight of 

 from 50-7^3 ft., with trunk 1 Ij-'i ft. iu diame- 

 ter, clothed in a gray rough scaly bark and 

 strongly buttressed at base, it puts out but 

 few large branches and along these many short 

 contorted branches, the whole forming a top 

 of peculiar aspect. Its dark green leaves with 

 sickle-shaped leallets and large clusters of 

 golden translucent fruit terminating each 

 hranchlet are features nf singular interest, and 

 in a measure compensate for its ungainly habit 

 of growth. On account of a resemblance in its 

 fruit to that of the China-tree ( ilelia A~c- 

 daracli) it is simetimes called the Wild China- 

 tree. It inhabits chiefly bottom-lands in com- 

 pany with the Pecan, Nutmeg Hickory, Mis- 

 sissippi Hackberry, Prickly Ash, Honey Locust, 

 Drummond iMaple. etc. 



The name Soaji-lierry is a])plied to this and 

 the allied trees on acc()\int of detersive prop- 

 erties found in the pulp of its fruits, which 

 when rubbed between the hands in water, form 

 a lather and can be used as a substitute for 

 soap. 



Its wood is heavy, a cu. ft. when absohitely 

 dry weighing 50.1)4 llis., strong and splilting 

 easily between the rings. These are properties 

 which make it valuable for s|iliiits in basket 

 making for which it is to some extent em- 

 ployed. i 



Leaves glabrous or nearlj' so, wutli slender not 

 winged rachises and i)-ll pairs "f lanceolatr 

 usuall.v falcate acaiminate short-petiolate iilili()ui' 

 entire leaflets 2-.'! in. long, acute at base. glal)roiis 

 above, pubescent, thickisli. I'loirrn^ ( May-.Iiinc l 

 about 3-16 in. across, white, in terminal compound 

 panicles 6-0 in. long. Fruit ripening in early au- 

 tumn and remaining, more or less shriveled, on tlie 

 branches until spring, oval, about Vj in. long, 

 yellow, translucent, glabrous and slightly it at all 

 keeled ; seed dark brown, - 



1. A. W., XI, 2r.4. 



2. For genus see pp. 447-448. 



