IS*4 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 



rough. (WiikL Sp. t iv. p. 369.) A deciduous tree, a native of Persia, but 

 found also oo the sea coast of Italy ; growing to the height of 20ft. or 30 ft. 

 Introduced in 1548, Sir J. E, Smith remarks that this species is "sometimes 

 perfectly dioecious, and very frequently partially so; the stamens being in 

 greater perfection in most flowers of one tree, and the pistils in those of 

 another/' (Rees's Cj/c/., art Morns.) 



Variety. 



1 M. ii. 2 litciniata Mill. Diet., No. 2., has the leaves jagged rather than 

 cut. This alleged variety of the species may he considered as more 

 properly a variation of the individual; since leaves jagged and lobed 

 in a great variety of ways are frequently found on plants in one 

 season, and only heart-shaped comparatively entire leaves the next ! 



Description. The common mulberry is generally a low, much-branched 

 tree, with a thick rough bark, and broad heart-shaped leaves, which are un- 

 equally serrated, and very rough. The fruit is large, of a dark purple, very 

 wholesome, and agreeable to the palate. The mulberry tree is remarkable for 

 the slowness of its growth ; and also for being one of the last trees to devc- 

 lope its leaves, though it is one of the first to ripen its fruit. In Britain, the 

 tree always assumes something of a dwarf or stunted character, spreading into 

 very thick arms, or branches, near the ground, and forming an extremely large 

 head. It is a tree of very great durability; the trees at Syon being said to be 

 300 years old, and some at Oxford and other places being supposed to be of 

 nearly equal antiquity. It is also wonderfully tenacious of life; the roots 

 of a black mulberry, which had lain dormant in the ground for twenty-four 

 } ears, being said, after the expiration of that time, to have sent up shoots. 

 (Ann. des Scicn. Nat. y torn. ix. p. 338., as quoted in Brando's Joum. for Oct. 

 1827.) 



Geography. The common, or black, mulberry is generally supposed to be 

 a native of Persia, where there are still masses of it found in a wild state ; 

 though the date of its introduction into Europe is unknown ; and though it is 

 occasionally found apparently wild in Italy. It is, however, so frequently 

 confounded by the earlier writers with the white mulberry, as to render it 

 difficult to ascertain the countries of which it is really a native. 



History. The black mulberry has been known from the earliest records of 

 antiquity. It is twice mentioned in the Bible ; viz. in the Second Book of 

 Samuel, and in the Psalms. The same difficulty, however, exists in tracing 

 its history distinctly from that of the white mulberry, as in its geography ; and 

 it is only when spoken of as a fruit tree, or when its colour is decidedly 

 mentioned, that we can be sure which species is meant. Ovid, however, 

 evidently points out the black mulberry as the one introduced in the story of 

 Pyramus and Thisbc; and Pliny seems also to allude to it, as he observes 

 that there is no other tree that has been so neglected by the wit of man, 

 either in grafting or giving it names; an observation which holds good to the 

 present day respecting the black mulberry, as it has only one trifling variety, 

 or rather variation, and no synonyme; whereas there arc numerous varieties 

 of M. alba. Pliny adds, " Of all the cultivated trees, the mulberry is the 

 last that buds, which it never docs until the cold weather is past ; and it is 

 therefore called the wisest of trees. But, when it begins to put forth buds, 

 it despatches the business in one night,and that with so much force, that their 

 breaking forth may be evidently heard." (Book xvi. c. 25.) The black 

 mulberry was first brought to England in 1548; when some trees were planted 

 at Syon, one, at least, ofwhich (Jig. 1222.) is still in existence. Others say 

 that the first mulberry tree planted in England was in the garden at Lam- 

 beth Palace, by Cardinal Pole, about 1555. Thetree is mentioned by Tusser, 

 and alfO by Oerard, who describes both the black and the white mulberry 

 as being cultivated in his time. The royal edict of James I., about 1605, 

 reCOOUnendinfl the cultivation of silkworms, and offering packets of mulberry 

 to all who would sow them, no doubt, rendered the tree fashionable, as 



