210 ROBINIA VISCOSA. 



The largest recorded tree of this species in England, is at rronmc, in Worces- 

 tershire, which, in thirty years after ])huiting, attained the height of forty-iive 

 feet. In Berksliire, at \Vhit(' Knights, tlicre is another tree, whicli, in thirty-four 

 years alter i)huiting, attained the height of thirty-three feet, with a trunk nine 

 inches in diameter, and a spread of branches of twenty-fonr feet. 



Soil, Sifutifio/i, Culture, iS^'c. The natural habitat of this tree is near rivers; 

 but it will thrive in any soil where the common locust will prosper, and may be 

 proj)agated and treated in the same manner, its rate of growth, m dill'erent situ- 

 ations and circumstances, being nearly the same for the first five or six years. 



lusccts. The leaves of the Robinia viscosa are particularly relished by the 

 larvic of the great silver-spotted skipper butterfly, Papilio tityrns, of Smith and 

 Al)l)Ot, or the Eudamus tityrus, of tlarris. This caterpillar was taken by Mr. 

 Abbot, feeding on a wild locust-tree, the latter end of August. It spun the leaves 

 together, to secure itself from birds, *fcc., like the rest of the tribe, on the 5th 

 of September, and became a chrysalis in two days after. The butterfly was 

 produced in Georgia the lUth of April following. According to Dr. Harris, they 

 make their appearance from the middle of June till after the beginning of July. 

 The females lay their eggs, singly, on the leaves of the common locust, as well 

 as on this species. The caterpillars are hatched in July, and mostly feed in the 

 night, and keep themselves closely concealed during the day. This tree is some- 

 times nearly deprived of its leaves by these insects, or presents only here and 

 there the brown and withered remains of foliage, which has served them for a 

 temporary shelter. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of the Robinia viscosa resembles that of the 

 common locust, both in its appearance and in other properties ; but owing to its 

 inferior size, and being of less durability, it is but little employed in construction 

 and in the arts. As this tree soon arrives at perfection, and is rendered conspic- 

 uous by its large rose^ate flowers, it well deserves a place in every ornamental 

 plantation. At the same time, let it be borne in mind, that its creeping roots are 

 a great nuisance in all cultivated grounds. The clammy matter which exudes 

 from the bark of the young shoots is said to have been examined by Vauquelin, 

 and found to contain a new vegetable substance. 



