108 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



bling the Artichoke and Cabbage in taste (hence its 

 name of Cabbage Tree'), and is often taken for pick- 

 ling, and the stock is mined by the process. Thus 

 for a pound or two of pickles, no better either than 

 many other kinds, the growth of half a century is 

 destroyed in a moment, and posterity left to the 

 wretched inheritance of vain mourning for the loss 

 of the greatest beauty of our maritime forest. 



2. Dwarf Palmetto. (S. Adansonii, Guerns.) 

 — This is but 3 or 4 feet high, never forming a trunk 

 like the preceding, and found only in the Lower Dis- 

 trict. The leaves of both these species are employed 

 in the manufacture of palm-leaf hats. 



Pride of India, or China Tree. (Melia Azed- 

 arach, Linn.) — Is a common shade tree of streets and 

 yards in the Lower District, and occasionally is seen 

 in the lower part of the Middle District. It is quite 

 naturalized in the former region, to which it is well 

 adapted by its free growth in sandy soil. It is from 

 25 to 40 feet high, with a spreading top, and its dark 

 green compound leaves and large loose clusters of 

 fragrant lilac-colored flowers make it quite ornamen- 

 tal. The timber is of a reddish hue, and said to be 

 strong and durable ; but is seldom used. The leaves 

 pounded and mixed with lard constitute a Persian 

 remedy for a cutaneous disease, better treated, per- 

 haps, with sulphur. The berries are reputed poison- 

 ous, as well as most other portions of the tree. 

 Robins feeding upon them in the Spring are so 

 stupefied as to be easily caught. 



