26 
in February and March ; it grows any where i» 
woods, fields, roads, sands, &c. The leaves are 
dried at the end of summer, and ground, in order 
to be boiled with meat ; they communicate to 
the broth a glutinous consistence, much relished. 
This dish is called Gombo Sassafras. 
II. N. G. Chimanthus. Raf. Floribus diclinis, FI. 
M. Calyxurceolaris quinquefidiscoloratus,laciniis 
spatulatis reflexis, petaloideis, stamina perigyna 12 
—15, filamentis conicis divaricatis, antheris ob- 
longis longitudinaliter dehiscens. FI. F. 
Fructus Drupa carnosa, ovalis, monosperma, nu¬ 
cleus acutus vix reniformibus. Raf.—Obs. This 
new genus, whose name means winter-flower, 
belongs to the natural family of Amygdalia , and 
has no sort of likeness with the Lauri , except 
by its ever-green leaves. It appears to differ 
materially from the genera Prunus , Amygdalus and 
Chrysobalanus, by the dicline flowers, shape of 
calyx, and stamina, want of petals, &c. Raf. 
70. Chimanthus amygdalina Raf. Foliis alternis subdis- 
tichis, petiolatis, supra lucidis, subtus pallidis, pe- 
rennantibus, oblongis, integris, utrinque acutis, 
uninervis- floribus axillaribus, racemosis, bracteo- 
latis. Raf—Laurier Amande. Rob. p. 362. A tree 
about 30 feet high, and one foot in diameter; 
branches long, slender, bending, with a brown 
bark; leaves thickly set, three inches long, one inch 
broad ; flowers small, white, yellow inside at the 
bottom ; berries black. The leaves have the taste 
