Handbook of Trees of the K"obtiie.ex States and Canada. 221 



The "Red B^iv ranges from 50 ft., or less, to 

 7(' ft. in height, with stout erect branches and 

 forming a symmetrical top. Its trunk is rarely 

 more than 3 or 3Vj ft. in diameter, and is 

 vested in a sray-l)ro\vn scaly ridged bark. 



It inliahits rich moist soil along the borders 

 of streams and swamps or occasionallj' drier 

 sandy soil, associating with the Live, Water 

 and Laurel Oaks, the Yaupon. Devil-wood, 

 Laurel Cherry, Cuban Pine, etc. 



Though rarely seen in cultivation tlie TJed 

 Bay is well wortliy of being planted for orna- 

 mental purposes, as it is one of the most beau- 

 tiful evergreen trees of the American forests, 

 with its briglit green leaves and red-stemmed 

 clusters of blue berries. 



A cubic foot of the absolutely dry wood 



weighs 40.07 lbs. It is of medium hardness 



and strength and of a reddish brown color with 



thin sap-wood, anl is used in the manufacture 



of lumber for interior finishing, furniture, etc.. 



and formerly tor boat building.- 



Lrarcs ol)Ion?-lanceolate, about equally pointed 

 at both ends, with entire revolnte margins, pilose 

 at first but at maturity lustrous hris'ht green 

 above, paler and glaucous beneath, thiclt and firm, 

 veins rather obscure and arcuate near the margin : 

 petioles and new growths puhenilous or nearly 

 glabrous. Floiccrs with glabrous peduncles mostly 

 from 1.^-1 in. long : calyx pab^ yellow. Fruit 

 lustrous dark blue, about V> in. or less in diameter 

 with thin flesh and red stems. 



1. Persea Carolinensis 



2. A. W., XI, 264. 



Nees. 



