148 TRANSACTIONS OF TILE ILLINOIS 



diameter at the stump and 150 feet iu height, with a clean, straight trunk free from 

 limbs for the greater part of that distance. When standing alone, however, it sends 

 out limbs at regular intervals, and forms a remarkably beautiful and symmetrical head. 

 The flowers, which appear in early spring, are about the size of the tulip and bear a 

 striking resemblance in form and color to some varieties of that fine flower. The leaf 

 is large, pecuHar in shape, and very handsome. This tree is hardy, and the growth 

 vigorous and rapid. As a lawn tree it cannot be excelled. 



Catalpa [Bignonioides) . — This tropical looking tree is found in ovir river and creek 

 bottoms, preferring a wet soil. The largest trees are about two feet in diameter, and, 

 when grown in thick gi'oves, 60 to 70 feet in height. Grown by itself, it is low and 

 spreading. The timber is much sought after for posts. It seems to be almost indes- 

 tructible by decay. Green limbs thrown upon the wet ground will lie there for years 

 and until covered with moss and yet appear as sound as when they fell from the trees. 

 Posts, said to have been set 30 years, are apparently perfectly sound. 



The gi'owth of the Catalpa is exceedingly rapid, and there seems to no reason why 

 it should not be of great value for planting in the more southern prairies especially. 

 The tree is ornamental as well as useful, the foliage being very large, and the blossoms 

 pretty and conspicuous. The seeds are numerous^ enclosed in long, bean-like pods. 



Sweet Gum [Liquidamlar Styraciflua). — This Is a large tree. The timber is used for 

 making bedsteads and other furniture. It is a beautiful ornamental tree, with peculiar 

 star-shaped leaves. The seeds are borne in a curious round burr, oiie and a half inches 

 in diameter. The twigs and small limbs, especially on trees growing singly, are 

 feathered like those of the winged elm, presenting a very imique appearance. 



Beech {Fagus fenniginea). — No one of our forest trees is so nuich admired by North- 

 ern men as this. It is of large size, often measuring two and a half feet iu diameter, 

 and more than 100 feet in height. The lower limbs are long, slender and drooping, 

 making a most delightful shade. This would be a perfect lawn tree but for the fact that 

 the foliage usually becomes musty toward the latter part of summer. The seeds are 

 small, edible nuts, triangular in shape, enclosed in pairs, in a burr. 



Black Gum.— This is a tree of medium size, rarely reaching two feet in diameter. 

 The fibres of the wood are so interlocked that it cannot be split. The growth Is pecu- 

 liar, the limbs mostly coming out of the trunk at right angles, long, slender and 

 drooping. The foliage is very pretty, having a gloss that makes them glitter in the 

 sunhght. 



Dogwood {Cm-nus Flnrid-a). — A small tree, very abundant. In the spring our 

 forests are made beautiful by its numerous large white blossoms. The ^'^-lit is a red 

 berry, in bunches, something like the seed of the coral honeysuckle.' 



Red Bud or Judas Tree {Cercis Ccmadensis. — Another small tree, covered in early 

 spring with reddish purple blossoms ; very pretty. 



Cucumber Tree {Magnolia acuminata) . — This is a remarkably fine ornamental 

 tree, attaining considerable size. It is, however, very diflicult to transplant, and is 

 seldom found in the forest small enough to be removed. 



Cypress {Taxodium distichum. — This is a large and valuable timber tree, grov^^ing in 

 the wildest swamps and attaining a very lai'ge size. It is a very handsome ornamental 

 tree, but would probably not thrive very far North. 



I might describe many other kinds of trees, such as Sassafras, Persimmon, Pawpaw, 

 Waahoo, etc., but those specified above seem to me the most desirable. 



