DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES, 
217 
a tree of greater dimensions, and larger, more elongated 
leaves, whose northern boundary is the neighborhood of 
Philadelphia; the Large Tupelo (iV. grandidentata ) , a 
tree of the largest size, with large, coarsely toothed 
foliage, and a large blue ( fruit, three-fourths of an inch 
long, which is sometimes called the wild olive ; and the 
sour Tupelo (N. capitata ), with long, smooth, laurel-like 
leaves, and light red, oval fruit, called the Wild Lime, 
from its abounding in a strong acid, resembling that of 
the latter fruit. Both the latter trees are natives of the 
southern states, and are little known north of Philadelphia. 
The wood of all the foregoing trees is remarkable for 
the peculiar arrangement of its fibres ; which, instead of 
running directly through the stem in parallel lines, are 
curiously twisted and interwoven together. Owing to 
this circumstance it is extremely difficult to split, and is 
therefore often used in the manufacture of wooden bowls, 
trays, etc. That of the Peperidge is also preferred for 
the same reason, and for its toughness, by the wheel- 
wrights, in the construction of the naves of wheels, and 
for other similar purposes. 
Michaux remarks that he is unable to give any reason 
why the names of Sour gum, Black gum, etc., have been 
bestowed upon these trees, as they spontaneously exude no 
sap or fluid which could give rise to such an appellation. 
We suspect that the term has arisen from a comparison 
of the autumnal tints of these trees belonging to the genus 
Nyssa, with those of the Sweet gum or Liquidambar, 
which, at a short distance, they so much resemble in the 
early autumn. 
