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THIN LEAVED NETTLE TREE. 
The berries are solitary, brown and glaucous. It is, 
perhaps, little more than a variety of C. occidentalism 
The American Nettle Tree, (“ Celtis occidentalism 
occurs in almost every part of Massachusetts, and I 
know a tree of it, east of the Connecticut River, nearly 
five feet in diameter.” G. B. Emerson, Esq. 
Thick-leaved Nettle Tree or Hackberry, ( Celtis 
crassifolia .) This species is readily distinguished by the 
large size, thickness and roughness of the leaves; they 
are often full 6 inches long, by more than 3 inches wide. 
The flowers, which are very numerous, (in the trees of 
the forests of Kentucky,) appear long before the de- 
velopement of the leaves, and are subtended by broad 
caducous bractes. The divisions of the calyx are 
spathulate, cucullate, scarcely torn, and not ciliate. 
The fruit, as well as the flowers, from the falling of the 
small leaves which accompany it, often appears disposed 
in racemes. The drupes are dark brown, nearly black. 
This species also admits of some variety. In some the 
leaves are larger and more pubescent or even hirsute, 
while others are nearly smooth when adult. 
The wood of the Nettle Tree of Europe is blackish, 
hard and compact, heavy and without sap-wood. It is 
so pliable and tenacious, that it will bend much without 
breaking; it therefore makes a good wood for the shafts 
of carriages and other uses of the wheelwright. It forms 
hoops which are very durable; and it is said, that after 
ebony and box, it surpasses all others in durability, 
strength and beauty. It is likewise unattacked by 
worms; and is esteemed for works of sculpture, as it 
neither contracts nor cracks. The roots serve as a die 
for linen stuffs; and an oil has been obtained from the 
seeds very similar to that of sweet almonds. 
END OF VOL. i. 
