210 KOBINIA VISCOSA. 
The largest recorded tree of this species in England, is at Croome, in Worces- 
tershire, which, in thirty years after planting, attained the height of forty-five 
feet. In Berkshire, at White Knights, there is another tree, which, in thirty-four 
years after planting, attained the height of thirty-three feet, with a trunk nine 
inches in diameter, and a spread of branches of twenty-four feet. 
Soil, Situation, Culture, fyc. 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 
propagated and treated in the same manner, its rate of growth, in different situ- 
ations and circumstances, being nearly the same for the first five or six years. 
Insects. The leaves of the Robinia viscosa are particularly relished by the 
larvae of the great silver-spotted skipper butterfly, Papilio tityrus, of Smith and 
Abbot, or the Eudamus tityrus, of Harris. 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, &c, 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 10th 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 roseate 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. 
