human
Smell of these leaves, Paul will say, breaking a twig from a shrub, somewhat like a huckleberry-bush, and crushing the leaves in his hand.
gpt
This is the bayberry-shrub. How fragrant the leaves are! It bears a berry with a gray wax-like coating; and in Nova Scotia this wax is much used instead of tallow, or mixed with tallow, to make candles.
human
But what is this little red berry on the ground? asked Rachel once when they were on one of their rambles.
gpt
It has a dark glossy leaf; and I like the taste and the smell of it very much.
human
That is the checkerberry, said Paul.
gpt
Some people call it the boxberry; and some call it wintergreen. It has a flavor like that of the black birch. It is used to scent soap, and sometimes to flavor candy. It is an evergreen plant.
human
What do you mean by an evergreen?
gpt
I mean, it is green the whole year round: it does not dry up and fall off, like the leaves of the strawberry-plant,
human
What other sweet-smelling plants are there about here?
gpt
Did you ever taste the bark of the sassafras-tree? asked Paul.
human
If not, here is one; and I will break off a twig for you to chew. The color of the inner bark, near the root, is red, like cinnamon. A beer is made from it; and it is also used in soaps.
gpt
I like the odor of it very much,
human
Here is a black-birch tree, cried Paul.
gpt
Some people call it the sweet-birch. I will cut off a piece of the bark for you to taste.
human
Why, it tastes like checkerberry-leaves,
gpt
Yes, replied Paul.
human
It is a beautiful tree, and is good for fuel. But here is a white-birch. See how white the bark is! It grows on poor land, and is a very pretty tree when well taken care of.
gpt
What is the meaning of that sound?
human
It means that we must run home to dinner, said Paul.
gpt
So give me your hand, Cousin Rachel. You need not be afraid of snakes. There are none here that can do any harm. Come, we will make a short cut through the grove to the house.