TREES OF AMERICA, 111 



1 " I suppose it is, my dear, from your descrip- 

 tion ; but I could tell better if you had 

 noticed the leaves." 



" Uncle Philip, I have heard that the honey 

 made by bees that suck the flowers of the 

 catalpa is poisonous. Is that true, sir ?" 



" Indeed, my dear, I do not know ; it is very 

 certain that honey does sometimes produce 

 unpleasant effects on those who eat it, but 

 whether this is owing to the flowers or not I 

 am not able to say, but I think it is very likely. 

 The wood of the catalpa is white, very light, 

 and of a fine texture, and when it is polished, 

 very brilliant and beautiful. When it is 

 perfectly seasoned it lasts a long time, and for 

 this reason it makes good posts for fences ; 

 but it is not much used, and the trees are 

 chiefly cultivated for the sake of their flowers 

 and foliage. In the Southern States, the ca- 

 talpa is a very great favourite." 



" Uncle Philip, I want to ask you a ques- 

 tion, if you please." 



" Well, my boy, what is it ? I will answer 

 it if I can." 



" I want to know, then, why you have not 

 told us about any of the fruit trees. You 

 have described a great many that are 



