SASSAFRAS OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 369 



that from Brazil from S, fa'pyratm, and from Few Grenada that 

 of B, syphilitica, S. mauritanica and ^S'. aspera, natives of the 

 South of Europe, are hardy in this coiintry in sheltered 

 situations. 



Sarsaparilla, Indian {Eemidesmiis indicus), a shrub of the 

 Swallowwort family (Asclepiadaceas), It is a native of India, 

 where its roots are used as a substitute for Sarsaparilla. 



Sassafras Trees, American (Sassafras officinale), a tree of 

 the Laurel family (Lauracea3), native of the United States, v^here 

 it is extremely abundant from Boston to the banks of the 

 Mississippi, and from the shores of the ocean in Virginia to the 

 remotest wilds of Upper Louisiana ; its usual height is 40 to 50 

 feet, but about 43° north it only attains the size of a large bush. 

 In the southern parts of the country where it is most abundant 

 the air is impregnated with the aroma, which extends a con- 

 siderable distance seaward. The tree forms a large head of hori- 

 zontal branches, furnished in summer with broad, oblong, ellip- 

 tical leaves. Its fruit is a small black drupe, from which a 

 strongly-scented oil is obtained ; it is not palatable, but is greedily 

 eaten by birds ; its bark is aromatic and used medicinally as a 

 tonic. A tree at Kew about 100 years old has attained the height 

 of 40 feet. 



Sassafras, Oalifornian (OreodapJme californica), is a large 

 tree of the Laurel family (Laurace^e). It has several names ; 

 such as Spice-bush, Balm of Heaven, Cajeput Tree, etc., which 

 shows it to be a tree of repute as regards its medicinal properties. 

 Its leaves are pungently aromatic ; during high winds the aroma 

 is so strong as to cause excessive sneezing. It has been intro- 

 duced into this country under the name of laurus regalis. 



Sassafras, Australian {Doryphora Sassafras), native of 

 New South Wales, and equal in magnitude to the preceding, 

 and belonging to the family Atherospermacese. 



Sassafras, Chilian (Laurelia sempermrens), also a large tree 

 similar to the last, native of Chili and Peru. Its fruit is aro- 

 matic ; it has obtained the name of Peruvian N"utmeg, but is of 

 no value. Another Chilian Sassafras is Boldoa fragrans, a small 



