412 Mr. Cutler's Account of indigenous Vegetables. 



CORNEL. Dogberry. The stem is quadrangular. Leaves 

 oval ; opposite. From the axillce of the upper leaves, two 

 other leaves are sent off, spreading laterally, which give the ap- 

 pearance of six leaves at a joint. Blossoms white. In wood- 

 land. May — June. 



OLDENLANDIA. Linn. Gen. Plant. 143. 

 DOGWOOD. The leaves are ovate; acuminated. Blossoms 

 in broad-topped spikes ; white. In swamps and banks of 

 rivers. July. 



DIGYNIA. 

 HAMAMELIS. Linn. Gen. Plant. 155. 



WITCH-HAZEL. The leaves are nearly inversly ovate. Blos- 

 soms yellow : stand three or four together on short flower stalks. 

 In loamy land. Sept. — October. 



This singular shrub does not commonly bloom until its leaves 

 are destroyed by frost, when its numerous blossoms make a gay 

 and agreeable appearance ; and continue until the weather be- 

 comes very cold, often until snow falls. The germen endures 

 the severity of our winters uninjured ; for the fruit does not 

 ripen until the next September, the time of its blossoming again, 

 when ripe fruit and blossoms will be found on the same tree. 



The Indians considered this tree as a valuable article in their 

 materia medica. They applied the bark, which is sedative and 

 discutient, to painful tumors and external inflammations. A 

 cataplasm of the inner rind of the bark, is found to be very ef- 

 ficacious in removing painful inflammations of the eyes. The 

 bark chewed in the mouth is, at first, somewhat bitter, very 

 sensibly astringent, and then leaves a pungent, sweetish taste, 

 which will remain for a considerable time. The specific qua- 

 lities. 



