DECEMBER. 565 



The Locust (Robmia, pseudacacia) is not supposed to be 

 indigenous in the New England States ; but as no one can 

 remember the time when the species was not universally 

 found here, it deserves to be described among our native 

 trees. It belongs to the leguminous tribe of plants, and to 

 the genus Rohinia, which is peculiar to the North American 

 continent, and received its nam.e from Linnaeus, in honor of 

 Jean Robin, who first introduced the locust into France. 

 Like other leguminous plants, its foliage is very fertilizing to 

 the soil upon which it grows. Hence, the grass in pastures 

 shaded by locust trees is always remarkably green and luxu- 

 riant. This circumstance, to whatever cause it may be 

 attributed, is apparent to the most casual observation. 



The locust is only a second-rate tree with respect to size, 

 especially in Massachusetts, where it seldom exceeds the 

 height of thirty or forty feet. Being subject to the ravages 

 of a great variety of insects, it is commonly stinted in its 

 growth by their attacks, its branches withered and broken, and 

 on this account it seldom exhibits a full symmetrical head. 

 In its style of growth it approaches the cylindrical shape, like 

 the hickories ; and, except while young, it resembles a tree 

 that is deformed by old age, exhibiting a shapeless and irregu- 

 lar growth. This is evidently not the effect of climate, as 

 the tree is perfectly hardy, but of the ravages of insects, of 

 which Dr. Harris describes six or seven different species, whose 

 grubs infest the bark and wood. It is remarkable that, while 

 the timber of the locust attracts the larvse of a greater number 

 of insects than any other known species, the leaf, which is 

 excellent fodder for cattle, is not touched by any kind of 

 insect. 



The locust is conspicuous for its delicate compound leaves, 

 Avhich are irregularly pinnate, having from nine to twenty-five 

 leaflets, of a very beautiful green ; and it is highly prized for 

 the beauty and fragrance of its pendulous racemes of flowers, 

 which, in the latter part of June, perfume the whole atmos- 

 phere in their vicinity. These flowers, though not so showy 

 as those of the horsechestnut, are more pleasing to the eye, 

 when, in harmony with the character of their foliage, they 



