220 CONNECTICUT GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. [Bull. 



and foliage effects. The twigs were once popular as " Divin- 

 ing Rods " with which crafty operators were wont to impose 

 upon the credulous. A distilled extract of the bark is exten- 

 sively used as a toilet and medicinal article and is prepared in 

 large quantities in some parts of the state. The bark, the twigs 

 and the leaves are medicinal and are officinal. 



LIQUIDAMBAR L. Sweet Gum Tree. 

 Liquidambar Styraciflua L. (flowing with storax). 

 Sweet, Star-leaved or Red Gum. Bilsted. 



Wet woods, fields and drier open places. South Norwalk 

 (G. P. Ells, Bissell), and occasional or frequent westward 

 near the shores of the of the Sound. May. 



The wood is hard and close-grained but not strong; is 

 inclined to warp and shrink badly. A beautiful tree in all 

 stages of growth, free from injury by insects and much 

 planted. Medicinal. The resinous exudation (liquidambar) 

 is used in the preparation of chewing gum. 



PLATANACEAE. PLANE TREE FAMILY. 



PLATANUS L. Buttonwood. Sycamore. 

 Platanus occidentalis L. (western). 



Buttonball. Buttonwood. Plane Tree. American or False 



Sycamore. 



Frequent. Low grounds along streams or sometimes in 

 drier places. May. 



The wood is hard, compact and difficult to split or work: 

 used for butcher's blocks, ox-yokes, small wares and interior 

 finish of houses. When well grown one of our largest trees. 

 Sometimes planted as an ornamental tree. 



ROSACEAE. ROSE FAMILY. 



PHYSOCARPUS Maxim. Nine-bark. 

 Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim, (maple-leaved). 

 Opnlaster opulifolius Kuntze. 

 Nine-bark. 



Rare. River shores: Norwich (Graves), Preston (W. A. 

 Setchell, Graves). June. 



