DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 213 



smooth, and pale green on the upper side, slightly downy 

 beneath. The blossoms are extremely beautiful, hanging, 

 like those of the Horse-chestnut, in massy clusters beyond 

 the outer surface of the foliage. The color is a pure and 

 delicate white, and the inner part of the corolla is 

 delicately sprinkled over with violet, or reddish and yellow 

 spots ; indeed, the individual beauty of the flowers is so 

 great when viewed closely, that one almost regrets that 

 they should be elevated on the branches of a large forest 

 tree. When these fall, they are succeeded by bean-like 

 capsules or seed-vessels, which grow ten or twelve inches 

 long, become brown, and hang pendent upon the branches 

 during the greater part of the winter. 



The Catalpa never, or rarely, takes a symmetrical form 

 when growing up ; but generally forms a wide-spreading 

 head, forty or fifty feet in diameter. Its large and abundant 

 foliage affords a copious shade, and its growth is quite 

 rapid, soon forming a large and bulky tree. In ornamental 

 plantations it is much valued on account of its superb and 

 showy flowers, and is therefore deserving a place in every 

 lawn. It is generally seen to best advantage when 

 standing alone, but it may also be mingled with other large 

 round-leaved trees, as the basswood, etc., when it produces 

 a very pleasing effect. The branches are rather brittle, 

 like those of the locust, and are therefore somewhat liable 

 to be broken by the wind. Accustomed to a warmer 

 climate, the leaves expand late in the spring, and wither 

 hastily when frost approaches ; but the soft tint of their 

 luxuriant vegetation is very grateful to the eye, and it 

 appears to be uninjured by the hottest rays of summer. 

 North of this place the Catalpa is rather too tender for 

 exposed situations. 



