52 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



native of Virginia. This tree is thirty feet high ; the 

 fruit is larger than the preceding, and is black when 

 ripe ; but it has scarcely time to ripen before it is de- 

 voured by birds. 



The wood is beautifully veined with black and white ; 

 and, as it takes a fine polish, is frequently used in cabinet- 

 work. Parkinson calls this tree the Virginia Cherry- 

 Bay. It was cultivated here in 1629- 



The Evergreen Bird-cherry, Primus Caroliniana, as 

 the English name implies, retains its verdure all the year. 

 In this country it seldom exceeds three feet in height, 

 but sends out branches on every side : the leaves are of 

 a fine lucid green. This species w as brought from South 

 Carolina, under the title of Bastard Mahogany ; so called 

 from the colour of its wood. It was cultivated by Miller 

 in 1759. 



The Perfumed Bird-cherry, Primus Mahaleh^ has a 

 fine veined wood ; which, as the tree grows in great abun- 

 dance about the village of St. Lucie in Lorrain, the inJia- 

 bitants have been induced to use in turnery, and their 

 manufactures supply in France tlie place of our Tun- 

 bridge ware. It is called St. Lucia wood, whence it has 

 been supposed to be a Vilest Indian wood ; the name St. 

 Lucie being confounded with that of one of the isles. 

 The fresh w^ood having a fine scent, which it communi- 

 cates to warm water, the foreign barbers use an infusion 

 of it to make the lather for shaving. 



