THE ACACIA. 



SoMn'ia Pseudaca'cia L. 



Few exotic trees have been so much discussed, or 

 have undergone such vicissitudes of popularity and 

 neglect, as has the species which is now commonly 

 known in England as the Acacia (Robinia Pseud- 

 acacia L.). 



Originally a native of North America, its seed is 

 said to have been first introduced into Europe either 

 in 1601, by Jean Robin, herbalist to Henri IV., whose 

 " Histoire des Plantes " was published in 1620, or by 

 his son Vespasian, who grew it in the Jardin des 

 Plantes in 1635. A tree planted at this latter date 

 was alive in 1840, and was then 75 feet in height. 

 Parkinson, in his " Theatrum Bo.tanicuin " (1640), 

 speaks of it as grown " to an exceeding height " by 

 the elder Tradescant at Lambeth, he having possibly 

 received it direct from Virginia, through his son. 

 This tree was still standing when Sir William Watson 

 examined the remains of Tradescant's garden in 1749. 

 Evelyn, in his " Sylva " (1604), recommends it as 

 " deserving a place among our avenue trees, adorning 

 our walks with its exotic leaves and sweet flowers ; 

 very hardy against the pinching winter ; but, by 

 reason of its brittle nature, it does not well resist . . . 

 our high winds ; and the roots, which insinuate and 

 run like liquorice under ground, are apt to emaciate 

 the soil, and, therefore, haply not so commendable in 

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