NETTLE 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 cali/x, — the whole spike thus becoming a com- 

 pound terete oblong berry. 



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

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

 dark purple. 



Eed Mokus. Eed Mulberry. 



stem usually 15 - 25 feet high, 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 \ petioles 1-2 or 3 inches long, with linear membranaceous caducous 

 stipules at base. Flowers greenish, small, numerous, in axillary pedunculate ament-like 

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

 5piA-€5 1- near 2 inches long. Pistillate sjnkes more densely flowered, cylindric, about an 

 inch 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. al'b i, L. Leaves obliquely cordate-ovate, and somewhat lobed, 

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

 yellowish-white. 



White Morus. — White Mulberry, 



Fr. Murier-blanc. Ger. Weisse Maulbeere. 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-serrate, often partially lobed, smoothish, shining and yellowish-green ; 

 petioles half an inch to an inch long, with lance-linear stipules at base. Pislillate spikes 

 shorter and smaller than in the preceding. Fruit pale yellow or straw color when mature 

 — rarely dark purple or nearly black. 



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

 June -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 multiply mammiferous animals, rather than Insects : but the tree be- 

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

 About twenty years ago, a variety of the White Mulberry — of smaller 

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

 multicauUs) , was introduced, as being still better adapted to the feed- 

 ing of Silk-worms ; and soon afterwards, a scene of speculation and in- 



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