76 THE PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF WOOD. 



The black locust has been extensively introduced into Europe i 

 both for ornamentation and for wood.* 



The wood of the honey locust resembles that of the black 

 locust, but is seldom used or appreciated save for fencing and 

 similarly unimportant purposes. Trees grow rapidly and are 

 not subject to the attacks of insects, so that they frequently 

 attain to normal proportions. The flowers are much smaller 

 than those of the black locust, but the pods are several times 

 as long (twelve to eighteen inches). These often curl in 

 drying and are thus rolled to some distance by the wind. 

 Thorns or spines are present on some individuals and are often 

 from three to six inches in length. The foliage resembles but 

 is more delicate than that of the black locust. There is 

 at least one other American species. Gleditsia is from 

 Gleditsch, the name of a botanist. 



Mesquite, also called honey locust, affords wood that is 

 hard, heavy, and almost indestructible in exposed positions. 

 The tree grows in the desert where vegetation would often 

 seem to be impossible. The roots are developed to great size 

 by their search for water, and are gathered and burned in the 

 absence of other fuel. The trunks are small, but afford posts 

 and ties. There are pods filled with rich edible pulp. Sixteen 

 or more species belong to this genus, prosopis, of which one 

 other, the screw-pod mesquite (Prosopis odorata], is found in 

 the United States. 



* Black Locust was introduced into Europe early in the seventeenth century, 

 being first cultivated by the son of Jean Robin, for whom the genus is named. 

 Few American species have received such attention abroad. 



