33 



XI. 



LEGUMINOS.E. 



THE ACACIA. 



ROBIN I A . 



Of the same family as the laburnum, the 

 broom, the pea and the bean, R. pseudacacia, our 

 common species, is a native of the Eastern United 

 States, where it is termed the "locust tree." Its 

 name Robinia is in honour of Jean Robin, a French 

 botanist, and once herbalist to Henry IV, who is 

 believed to have brought it to Europe. 



As an ornamental tree the acacia has been 

 cultivated in Great Britain for about two hundred 

 years. It is said to have been one of the first 

 American trees introduced into this country. The 

 charafteristics of R. psendacacia are pendent 

 clusters of white, scented flowers, developing into 

 flat pods, and what are termed pinnated leaves 

 formed of beautifully fine and smooth leaflets in 

 pairs, with a terminal, and with two prickles at 

 the base. As the tree rises to maturity these 

 prickles disappear — like the holly it throws off its 

 armament. 



