THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 47 



while ours seldom reaches 40, with a diameter of 12 

 to 15 inches. It is an inhabitant of the higher moun- 

 tains from Pennsylvania southward as far as this 

 State. Farther north it is replaced by a larger but 

 very similar species known as the Canada Balsam 

 (A. balsamea). It is not uncommon on our highest 

 summits, but I think is not found upon any which 

 do not exceed 4,000 feet above the sea. Some of 

 these summits appear to be occupied almost exclu- 

 sively with forests of this tree, and the dark color of 

 these and of masses of the next species has probably 

 given its name to the Black Mountain. Several 

 knobs and ranges south of the French Broad River 

 are called Balsam Mountain from the prevalence of 

 this tree upon them. When not too much crowded, 

 this has a close pyramidal top. The leaves are of a 

 bright green above, and silvery white beneath. When 

 the branches are loaded with cones, (which in this 

 species only stand erect,) the tree is very beautiful. 

 The cones are from 1 to 2 inches long. The timber 

 is of little value, though sometimes sawed or hewed 

 out for mountain cabins ; yet if valuable, it could 

 not, from its location, be available. The turpentine 

 or balsam is a clear thin liquid, obtained from small 

 blisters on the bark of the trunk by means of sharp 

 horn spoons or scoops inserted into their lower side. 

 It is of an acrid taste, and is much used by the in- 

 habitants on cuts and sores ; but the application is 

 painful, and as likely to promote inflammation as to 

 allay it. 



