NETTI.E FAMILY. 295 



2-celled ; one of the cells smaller and disappearing ; stigmas 2, terminal, 

 filiform, villous on the inner side. Akene compressed, ovate, covered by 

 the persistent succulent calvx, — the ivhole spike thus becoming a com 

 pound terete oblong herrij. 



1. M. ru'bra, L Leaves cordate-cvate and acuminate, or some- 

 times 2 - 3-lobed, serrate, scabrous above, pubescent beneath; fruit 

 dark purple. 



Red iloRUS. Red Mulberry. 



Skm usually 15-25 feet liigh, and 9-18 inches in diameter (in some instances consider- 

 ably taller and larger), with numerous spreading branches at summit. Leaves 4-6 or 8 

 inches long, more or less cordate (on young plants often 2-3 lobed, and very scabrous 

 above), dentate-serrate, with an entire acumination, deep green and roughish on the 

 upper surface, softly, and, while young, somewhat hoary-pubescent beneath, especially 

 along the nerves ; _pe<ioZes 1-2 or 3 inches long, with linear membranaceous caducous 

 siipiiZes at base. Flowerrs greenish, small, numerous, in axillary pedunculate ament-liice 

 spikes — sometimes dioecious, and not unfrequently the spikes are androgynous. Staminate 

 sjrilces 1-ncar 2 inches long. Pistillate spikes more densely flowered, cylindric, about an 

 iuch long, becoming juicy, dark purple and pleasantly esculent when mature. Peduncle 

 of the berry about an inch long. 



Rich woodlands, fence-rows, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. June- 

 July. 



Obs. The wood of this small tree is exceedingly durable, and highly 

 valued for making posts, &c. The leaves have been successfully used 

 for feeding silk-worms ; but the product is said to be not so fine, as that 

 afforded by the White Mulberry. The fruit is more admired than that 

 of any other species. 



2. M. aVba, L. Leaves obliquely cordate-ovate, and somewhat lobed, 

 acute or sub-acuniiuate, serrate, smoothish and shining ; fruit mostly 

 yellowish-white. 



White Morus. — White Mulberry. 



Fr. Murier-blanc. Ger. AYeisse Hvlaulbeere. Span. Morera. 



Stem 10-20 or 25 feet high, and 8-12 or 15 inches in diameter, much branched at sum- 

 mit. Leaves 2-4 inches long (sometimes, especially in young plants, 2-3 times that size), 

 unequally crenate-serrato, often partially lubud, smoothish, shining and yellowish-green ; 

 pelioles half an inch to an inch long, with kuice-lincar stipules at base. Pistillate spikes 

 ehorter and smaller than in the preceding. Fndi pale yellow or straw color when mature 

 — rarely dark purple or nearly black. 



About houses, fence-rows, &c.: introduced. Native of China, Persia, &c. JPZ. May. Fr 

 Jane - July. 



Obs. This species was introduced nearly a century since, with a 

 view to the feeding of Silk-worms, and the production of silk. The 

 silk-culture, however, was soon abandoned, — for, in that early stage of 

 the colonies, the sparsely settled Agriculturists found it more important 

 to nmltiply mammiferous animals, rather than Insects : but the tree be- 

 came partially naturalized, — and is still frequently to be met with. 

 A-bout twenty years ago, a variety of the White Mulberry — of smaller 

 stature, and much larger leaves, (well known by the name of Mwils 

 7nw/f2ca !///.$), was introduced, as being still better adapted to the feed- 

 ing of Silk-worms; and soon afterwards, a scene of ?peculation and m 



