WEST VIRGINIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 417 



Uses. — Wood similar to and used for the same as that of the pre- 

 ceding species. 



ARALIA SPINOSA, L. Hercules' Club. 



Geographic Distrihution. 



Deep moist soil in the neighborhood of streams; western 

 slope of the Alleghany mountains, Pennsylvania, to southern 

 Indiana and southeastern Missouri, and southward to northern 

 Florida, western Louisiana and eastern Texas; probably of its 

 largest size on the foothills of the Big Smoky mountains in 

 Tennessee. 



Distribution in West Virginia. — Common, often on dry burnt 

 lands, west of the mountains. Found in the following 

 counties: Fayette, Marshall, Monongalia, Nicholas, Ran- 

 dolph, Tucker, Upshur, and Webster. 



Uses. — Of little commercial value. Bark, roots, and berries 

 someties used in medicine. 



NYSSA SYLVATICA, Marsh. Tupelo. Pepperidge. 

 "Black Gum." 



Geographic Distrihution. 



Borders of swamps in wet imperfectly drained soil, and south- 

 ward often on high wooded mountain slopes; valley of the Ken- 

 nebec river, Maine, to southern Ontario, central Michigan, and 

 southeastern Missouri, and southward to the shores of Kissi- 

 mee river and Tampa Bay, Florida, and to the valley of the 

 Brazos river, Texas; of its largest size on the southern Appa- 

 lachian mountains. 



Distribution in West Virginia. — A common tree throughout the 

 State. Least frequent in the high mountains and in the 

 counties east of the AUeghanies. 



Wood. — Hea\^, tough, medium coarse-grained, light yellow. 



Uses. — Wood used for wheel hubs, ladders, mallets, wagon beds, 

 piles, and rough flooring. 



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