THE SHRUBS^ OF NORTH CAROLINA. 149 



Privet. (Ligustrum vulgare, Linn.) — Occasion- 

 ally naturalized about settlements. Berries black. 

 This is suited for low hedges. 



1. Spice Bush. (Benzoin ocloriferum, Nees.) — 

 Known also as Spice Wood, Wild Allspice, and Fever 

 Bush. Grows in damp woods throughout the State, 

 and, wherever found, known under one or other of 

 these names. It is a strongly scented shrub, smooth, 

 3 to 6 feet high, with dark red berries, and leaves 3 

 or 4 inches long. An infusion of the twigs is some- 

 times used in country fevers, and for sickly cattle in 

 the Spring. 



2. (B. melissaefolium, Nees.) — Belongs to the 

 Lower and Middle Districts in low grounds and on 

 the borders of shallow ponds, 2 or 3 feet high, leaves 

 silky on both sides, 1 or 2 inches long, slightly heart- 

 shaped ; berries red. I am indebted to Dr. McRee 

 and Prof. Mitchell for my knowledge of this species. 



Pond Bush. (Tetranthera geniculata, Nees.) — 

 Occupies small ponds in the Lower District, giving 

 a gray smoky aspect to these localities. It is rarely 

 met with in the lower part of the Middle District. 

 It is 10 or 15 feet high, with smooth, zigzag branches, 

 and small oval leaves, £ to 1 inch long, and red 

 berries. 



This and the genus next preceding are closely 

 related to the Sassafras, and, like it, have small yel- 

 lowish flowers which appear before the leaves. 



Leather-wood. (Dirca palustris, Linn.) — Widely 

 diffused over the country, but in this State occurring 



