DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERING SHRUBS. 467 
SAMBUCUS.— Exper. 
{Name from an ancient musical instrument, supposed to have been made 
from the wood of this tree.] 
Sambiicus Canadénsis.— Common Elder.— This very 
common shrub grows about eight or ten feet high in low 
ground, and conspicuous in June and July for its broad 
cymes of white flowers, succeeded by clusters of small, 
dark-purple, or nearly black, berries. An infusion of the 
bruised leaves is used by gardeners to expel insects from 
vines. The flowers are highly esteemed, as having im- 
portant medicinal qualities. The plant, on account of its 
ornamental flowers and berries, may be introduced into 
extensive shrubberies. 
8. nigra.—European Elder.—This species is very com- 
mon in Europe, and is the original of several ornamental 
varieties, among which are, S. daciniatus, or Parsley- 
leaved, which is a variety of the European S. nigra, a shrub 
eight feet high, with deeply cut or laciniated leaves and 
white flowers. There a number of other curious varieties, 
one the Golden-striped, in which the leaves are striped or 
blotched with yellow. A variety of the Parsley-leaved, 
or Silver-striped, has leaves beautifully variegated with 
white.- There is also a variety with double, pure white 
flowers, of which the shrub has some resemblance to our 
Common Elder. The flowers, however, are so offensive 
to the smell, that they are not desirable to cut, but hand- 
some on the bush. 
SHEPHERDIA. 
(So named by Nuttall, in compliment to Mr. Thomas Shepherd, of the Bo- 
tanic Garden, Liverpool.) 
Shephérdia argéntea.— Buffalo Tree.—This graceful 
shrub, or low tree, is found in the neighborhood of the 
Rocky Mountains, in large clumps, or clusters. It is eaten 
