8 2 THE PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF WOOD. 



The black locust has been extensively introduced into Europe, 

 both for ornamentation and for wood.* 



/ The wood of the honey locust resembles that of the black 

 locust, but is seldom used or appreciated save for fencing and 

 similarly unimportant purposes.' Trees grow rapidly and are 

 not subject to the attacks of insects, so that they frequently 

 attain to normal proportions. The flowers are much smaller 

 than those of the black locust, but the pods are several times 

 as long (twelve to eighteen inches). These often curl in 

 drying and are thus rolled to some distance by the wind. 

 Thorns or spines are present on some individuals and are often 

 from three to six inches in length. The foliage resembles but 

 is more delicate than that of the black locust. There i? 

 at least one other American species. Gleditsia is from 

 Gleditsch, the name of a botanist. 



I The mesquite is to its native desert as bamboo is to 

 China and Japan. Its normal form resembles that of the 

 apple-tree, but it can survive entirely covered with sand, so that 

 above the surface, only small shoots appear. Such instances 

 suggested the expression that in Arizona we must " dig for 

 wood and climb for water." j Roots develop greatly in their 

 search for water, and are dug up in the absence of other fuel. 

 There are pods filled with rich pulp, from which Indians made 

 bread, cake, and a fermented drink. The beans are now 

 greatly valued as fodder. A black dye is made from the sap, 

 and a good mucilage from the gum. vThe hard, heavy wood 

 is seen in many native houses in New Mexico and Arizona; 

 and is almost indestructible when exposed ]\ Sixteen or more 

 species belong to this genus, Prosopis, of which one other, 

 the screw-pod mesquite (Prosopis odoratd), is found in the 

 United States. 



* Black locust was introduced into Europe early in the seventeenth century, 

 being first cultivated by the son of Jean Robin, for whom the genus is named. 

 Few American species have received such attention aboad. 



