43 



used for dying wool a dark brown color. The decoction of the bark 

 and leaves has considerable medicinal properties. 



The Hick >ry (Carya glabra) is one of the finest forest trees of the 

 Southern States, and grows only in rich soil. The wood of the hick- 

 ory is well known lot its compactness, its toughness and durability. 

 It is much employed for posts, and as heat-producing fuel it can not 

 be surpassed. The infusion and tincture of the bark have been 

 0*8 1 as .astringents, aud have been administered in intermit tents 

 with success. Chewing the inner bark has beeu said to be a sove- 

 reign remedy for dyspepsia. The nut furnishes an agreeable article 

 of food 



The Black WiUow (Salix nigra) grows everywhere in the State on 

 the banks of streams. Its wood, when exposed to constant atmos- 

 pheric changes, speedily decays, but when thoroughly seasoned and 

 kept perfectly dry, w T ili last for centuries. It has not been used in 

 the arts, except tor making charcoal. The young shoots were 

 employed by the Indians for the manufacture of baskets and other 

 wickerwerk The root has tonic properties, and is used by country 

 people for the prevention aud cure of intermittents. 



The Rose-bay tree (Neriuni oleander) with its bunches of rose 

 flowers is one of the finest ornamental shrubs that grows in the 

 gardens of Louisiana. The powdered bark is said to be poisonous, 

 and the peasants of the south of France, where it grows wild, em- 

 ploy it as a poison for rats, and death is said to have occurred from 

 eating food roasted by the oleander wood. The leaves, boiled in 

 lard or oil, yield an ointment which is considered efficacious against 

 insects. 



The American Beech (Fagus ferruginea) is a handsome tree, and 

 grows most abundantly in low wet soil, near the rivers and bayous. 

 Its nuts afford nutritious mast for hogs, but it has little value as a 

 timber tree, on account of the hardness and brittleness of the wood. 



Tiie Fragrant Olive (Olea fragrans) is cultivated in the gardens on 

 account of the delicious odor of its yellowish flowers. The odor of 

 tea leaves, cultivated in China, is improved by mixing with them 

 the flowers of this tree, which are afterwards separated by sifting 

 or otherwise. 



The Misletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) is a parasitic shrub which 

 grows od the oak, the elm, the sweet gum and other trees. The 

 berries are white and are said to be poisonous. They contain a 



