70 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



cies of this plant first cultivated in England, 

 as it is mentioned by Ray, in 1688, as being 

 amongst the rare exotic trees and shrubs then 

 growing in the episcopal garden at Fulham, 

 where it was sent by Banister to Bishop 

 Comptom. This shrub seldom exceeds six- 

 teen feet in height in its native soil ; it is 

 found in low, moist, or swampy ground in 

 North America, but not more northerly than 

 Pennsylvania. The perfume of this plant 

 resembles that of the lily of the valley, with a 

 mixture of aromatic odour ; and its fragrance 

 is so great, that the trees may be discovered 

 at the distance of three quarters of a mile by 

 the scent of the blossoms, particularly towards 

 the close of day, when it is, we are told, be- 

 yond description pleasant to travel in the 

 woods at the season of their flowering. The 

 tree is known in America by the name of 

 White Laurel, Swamp Sassafras ; but it is 

 more generally called the Beaver-tree, because 

 the root is eaten as the most favourite food 

 of the beaver, and it is therefore employed 

 to catch these animals. The flowers of this 

 species of magnolia are similar to those of the 

 grandiflora. They consist of eight petals, but 

 are not more than three or four inches over. 

 The bark of the swamp magnolia, as well as 

 the fruit and the young wood, form one of 

 the American domestic medicines. 



