OSAGE ORANGE, OR YELLOW-WOOD. 
127 
hardy in the climate of Philadelphia, raised from seeds, 
does not naturally extend to the north of the Arkansa 
river; it is even there of rare occurrence, and generally 
destitute of fruit. We saw a few old ill-grown trees on 
the banks of the Pottoe, a few miles from Fort Smith. 
It w r as only on the rich low bottom lands of Red River, 
near the confluence of the Kiamesha, that we beheld 
the Maclura in perfection, forming a great part of the 
prevailing umbrageous forest, and attaining an elevation 
of 50 or 60 feet, by a diameter of between 2 and 3 feet. 
It is, however, much inclined, when full grown, to throw 
out irregular spreading limbs of considerable extent, 
though at first it presents a very elegant roundish 
spreading summit. But at all times it strikes the be- 
holder as something remarkable in the northern forest 
by the beauty and splendour of its dark and shining 
foliage, which in appearance strongly resembles that of 
the Orange, and the numerous spines which the branches 
present seem to confirm the comparison. The fruit is 
alike singular, resembling full grown yellowish-green 
Oranges, but filled with a milky juice, and, as they ripen 
at intervals, or become abortive, the ground beneath, 
like an orchard, is strewn with this curious fruit, which, 
when first discovered, lying neglected beneath the tree, 
led the voyagers to fear and report it as a poison; but 
the family to which it appertains and its relation to the 
Mulberry, affords a presumptive sanction for its harm- 
less qualities. 
The Maclura was first noticed by Hunter and Dunbar 
in their voyage up Red River, on the banks of the Little 
Missouri, of the Washita River, also near Natchitoches, 
and upon the banks of the Arkansa. It was likewise 
observed by Dr. James, in Major Long’s Expedition, 
along the banks of the Arkansa and the Canadian. I 
first saw living plants, bearing fruit, about the year 1810, 
