1876.] 215 [Burbank. 



tained several individuals of remarkable size and beauty. One of 

 these was undoubtedly the largest of its kind in New England. Its 

 graceful form and long, drooping branches gave it, when seen from a 

 distance, much the aspect of an elm. This noble tree has recently 

 been destroyed to make room for a new building. Fortunately, a rec- 

 ord of its dimensions (as measured, in 1871, by Mr. Russell, of Provi- 

 dence, and myself) has been preserved. Its circumference at the 

 ground was 9 ft. 7 in., at four feet above, 8 ft. 6 in. The spread of 

 the branches was seventy-five feet. Several large trees of the group 

 are still standing. One of these now measures 7 ft. 6 in. in circum- 

 ference at four feet from the ground. Its branches extend in one 

 direction forty-one feet from the centre of the trunk, and in a direc- 

 tion nearly opposite, thirty feet. Several other trees of the group 

 measure from five to seven feet in circumference. Micheaux 1 states, 

 rather indefinitely, that this species never exceeds two or three feet 

 in diameter. He also gives the northern part of New Jersey as the 

 northern limit of its growth. 



The facts given above indicate that it does not suffer from the 

 effects of our colder climate, but attains quite as large a growth in 

 the valley of the Merrimack as in the southern States. It flourishes 

 well in cultivation, and is well worthy of a place among ornamental 

 trees for public and private grounds. 



The Hackberry, Celtis crassifolia, is regarded as identical with 

 Celtis occidentalis by Dr. Gray, who describes only one species of Cel- 

 tis as occurring east of the Mississippi. Micheaux and Emerson 

 make them two distinct species. 



From observations that I have made on the western variety, as well 

 as that which occurs in this State, I have no doubt that both belong 

 to the same species, and that the very marked differences which they 

 present are due entirely to differences of climate and soil. The Celtis 

 of Indiana is a tall, handsome tree of regular form and rapid growth, 

 having long and slender branches. The dark purple fruit ripens and 

 fills in August. 2 As it occurs on the banks of the Merrimack, it is a 

 low tree, with dense bushy top and stout trunk, often spreading at 

 the base in an extraordinary manner, as if to anchor itself more 



1 Trees of North America, Vol. I., p. 367. 



2 August 18th, 1871, 1 examined some very fine trees of this species at Indianapo- 

 lis, in the grounds of Mr. Ingram Fletcher. These were lofty trees, the first 



branches being at a great height from the ground. The fruit had at that time 

 nearly all ripened and fallen. 



