68 



NORTH AMERICA. 



chum) is peculiar to the southern swamps, where it attains a height of 120 feet; the wood is light, 

 durable, and strong, and is much esteemed for several economical purposes. The red cedar (Juni- 

 perus Virginiuna) is also a southern tree, and the wood possesses a high character for durability, 

 compactness, and lightness. The catalpa [Catalpa cordifolia), a beautiful ornamental tree, with its 

 showy white flowers spotted with violet, is most abundant in tiie southern sections of the United 

 States. The alder (Alnus serrulata) is common in all parts of the country. The hornbeam 

 {Carpinus Americana) is common in all parts of the United States. The big laurel {Magnolia 

 grandiflora) is one of the most remarkable of American trees for the majesty of its form, the mag- 



Catalpa. Alder. Hornbeam. Magnolia. 



nificence of its foliage, and the beauty of its flowers. It abounds in the southern States. The cu- 

 cumber tree {31. acuminata) , which is found in the Alleghanies, is scarcely inferior to the big laurel 

 in beauty and dimensions. The long-leaved cucumber tree {31. auriculata) is confined to the south- 

 ern Alleghanies, and is distinguished for the size of its flowers. The umbrella trees also belong to 

 this genus. The devil wood {Olca Americana') is common in the south; the wild cherry {Prunus 

 Virginiana) attains to gigantic dimensions in the west, but is smaller in the east. Among the vari- 

 ous medicinal plants of North America, may be mentioned the pippsissewa {Chimaphila innbellata), 

 as a diuretic ; the blood-root or puccoon {Sanguinaria Canadensis), as an emetic and purgative, and 

 also as affording a fine orange-colored dye ; the dogwood, which is a good substitute for the Peruvian 

 bark; the fever-wort; the gillenias, with emetic properties; the glaucous magnolia and tulip tree ; 

 the American senna {Cassia 31arylandica), an excellent cathartic; the spotted crane's bill {Gerani- 

 um maculatum), as an astringent ; the partridge-berry or mountain-tea {Gaultheria procumbens) ; the 

 Indian tobacco {Lobelia inflata), a powerful emetic ; the blue cardinal flower {Lobelia sipkilitica^ 



Cucumber Tree. Wild Cherry. Blood Root. Lobelia. 



has now lost its repute in medicine; the thorough-wort or boneset {Eupatorium, perfoliatum) ; the 

 centaury {Sabbntia angiilaris), a valuable tonic bitter; the May apple {Podophyllum peltatum), 

 whose root is a safe and active cathartic; the Virginia snake-root {Aristolochia serpentaria), exten 

 sively employed in medicine ; the poke-root ( Vcratrum viride) ; the wild ginger {Asai-um Canadense), 

 having the properties of the snake-root, and the sweet-scented asarabacca {A. Virginicum) ; the sassa- 

 fras and spice-wood {Laurus benzoin); the gold-thread {Coptis trifolia), a powerful bitter; the 

 Seneca snake-root {Polygala Senega), much used for various purposes ; the American ginseng 

 (Panax qui ngue folium), exported to China; the ground ivy or alehoof {Glechoma hederacca) ; St. 

 John's wort {Hypericum perforatum) ; elecampane {Inula 31elenium) ; marsh-trefoil {Menyanthes 

 trifoliata) ; bitter sweet {Solanum dulcamara); the marsh rosemary {Statice Caroliniana). 



