THE SHRUBS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 161 



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successfully used for scald heads. The wood, par- 

 ticularly of the roots, is exceedingly hard, fine- 

 grained, marked with red lines, and capable of a 

 good polish. We have hardly any wood better 

 adapted for the handles of tools, small screws, and 

 similar' articles. This and the Laurels can be raised 

 from seeds. 



2. Wicky. (K. angustifolia, Linn.) — This has an 

 extensive range over the United States. In this 

 State it is common on the small Pine-barren swamps 

 of the Lower Districts, but is rare in the others. It 

 is 1 to 3 feet high ; the leaves are 1 to 2 inches long 

 and \ inch wide, pale green, paler underneath ; the 

 flowers roseate or crimson, about i inch broad, being 

 one-third the size of the preceding, but of the same 

 elegant form, and growing in clusters along the 

 branches. This is a beautiful undershrub and is 

 greatly improved by cultivation. It is a poisonous 

 plant, especially to sheep, and is in some places called 

 Sheep Laurel. A decoction of the leaves is a domes- 

 tic remedy for cutaneous diseases in man and beast. 



3. (K. cuneata, Michx.) — Similar to the Wicky, 

 found in the Lower District, but very rare. It may 

 be distinguished from that by the flowers being 

 white at top and red at bottom, and by the leaves 

 being scattered along the branches, instead of grow- 

 ing in circles of three, as in No. 2. 



Sand Myrtle. (Leiophyllum buxifolium, Ell.) 

 — A small evergreen shrub, 6 to 12 inches high, 

 looking somewhat like the Garden Box, with small. 



