294 



ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. 



TART III. 



Geography, History , fyc. Michaux did not 

 observe this tree north of the Schuylkill 

 river ; and it appears to be unknown, or 

 extremely rare, in the low and maritime part 

 of the southern states. It is not uncommon 

 in the bottoms of the rivers which stretch 

 along the middle states ; but it is most abun- 

 dant in the rich valleys intersected by the 

 western waters ; where, at intervals, it forms 

 thickets exclusively occupying several acres. 

 In Kentucky and the western part of Ten- 

 nessee, it is sometimes seen, also, in forests 

 where the soil is luxuriantly fertile ; of which 

 its presence is an infallible proof. In these 

 forests it attains the height of 30 ft., with 

 a trunk 6 in. or 8 in. in diameter, though it 

 generally stops short of half this height. (Michaux.') This species was im- 

 ported to England, under the name of Anbna triloba, by Peter Collinson,in 

 1736; and it has since become known in the principal botanic gardens of Eu- 

 rope, and procurable in first-rate nurseries. Miller mentions that the largest 

 plant he had seen was in the Duke of Argyll's garden at Whitton. (See p. 57.) 

 The largest tree that we have heard of is that already mentioned, at Purser's 

 Cross ; where, some years ago, a tree of about the same size, since dead, 

 ripened fruit. The plants are always raised from seeds ; and they seldom pro- 

 duce shoots exceeding 5 in. or 6 in. in length : hence a plant, in ten years, does 

 not reach above 3ft. or 4ft. in height; and will not flower till of 15 or 20 

 years' growth. 



Properties, Uses, fyc. The fruit in America is never brought into the 

 markets, and is sought in the woods only by children. A spirituous liquor has 

 been made from it, but it is of little worth. The wood is spongy, extremely 

 soft, destitute of strength, and applicable to no use in the mechanical arts. In 

 England, it may be considered as a curious, slow-growing, deciduous shrub, 

 well deserving a place in gardens, but which ought always to be isolated, and 

 at some distance from rapid-growing plants. Relatively to growth, it may be 

 placed near Dirca palustris, some of the daphnes, or Illicium parviflorum. 

 Plants, in the London nurseries, are 2s. Qd. each, and seeds Is. an ounce ; at 

 Bollwyller, 5 francs a plant ; and in New York, 40 cents. 



afe 3. A. pygmte'a Dun. The Pygmy Asimina. 



Identification. Dun. Monog. ; Dec. Prod., 1. 87. ; Don's Mill., 1. 92. 



Synonymes. Annbna pygmae'a Bartr. ; Orchidocarpum pygma2 N um Mr. Fl. Bar. Amer. ; Porctlws 



pygma^a Pers. ^q 



Engravings. Bartr. Trav., p. 21. t. 1. ; E. of PL, 7932. ; and 



our Jig. 40. 

 Spec. Char., $c. Stem suffruticose. Leaves oblong-linear, 



cuneate, blunt, and, as well as the branches, smooth. 



Flowers on short peduncles. Outer petals obovate-oblong, 



much larger than the calyx. (Don's Mill., i. p. 92.) A little 



shrub, hardly 1 ft. high, with twiggy branches, and long, 



cuneated, narrow leaves. Outer petals much larger than 



the inner ones, and all white. Found in Georgia, Florida, 



and Carolina, in sandy fields. Flowers white. April and 



June. 



Geography, History, S(C. We have never seen this species> 

 and know nothing more of its history than what is above 

 stated. By the catalogues it appears to have been introduced 

 into England in 1812, and, probably, is since lost. In New York, 

 plants are 1 dollar 50 cents each. 



34 4. A. grandiflo v ra Dun. The large-flowered Asimina. 



Identification. Dun. Mon. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 87. ; Don's Mill., ]. p. 92. 



Synonymes. Annbna grandiflbra Bartr. ; A. obovata, IVilld. ; Orchidocarpum grandiflorum A/.r. 

 ' VI. Bor. Amer. ; Porcelia grandiflbra Pers. ; Asiminier agrandes Fleurs Bon. .Turd. 

 Engravings. Dun. Mon., t. 11. ; Bartr. Trav.,t 2. 



Spec. Char. Leaves cuneate-obovate, obtuse; under surface, as well as the 



branches, clothed with brown pubescence. Flowers sessile; outer petals 



