40 SYLVA FLOltlFERA. 



Of all the exotic trees with which we have 

 adorned our native groves, this North Ameri- 

 can stands first. We have no tree that dis- 

 plays more elegant foliage than is formed by it's 

 pinnated leaves, which appear so judiciously 

 scattered over the branches that not one 

 obscures it's fellow, and their feathery light- 

 ness is only surpassed by the pleasing emerald 

 tints with which they are coloured ; nor are 

 it's bunches of pendant papilionaceous blos- 

 soms less acceptable for succeeding the more 

 gaudy laburnum, and thus lengthening the 

 charms of spring. The sweet perfume with 

 which they scent the surrounding air only 

 makes us regret their short duration ; but to 

 these succeed pods of so rich an umber brown, 

 that autumn seems to peep through the veil of 

 spring, and repay us for the loss of it's orange- 

 flower odour ; whilst the nightingale loves 

 to confide her nest to this new inhabitant of 

 our climate, whose long and strong thorns 

 seem to insure her family a protection, and 

 she descends to the lower branches to ravish 

 our ears with her sweet melody. 



" Nor rural sights alone, but rural sounds 

 Exhilarate the spirits, and restore 

 The tone of languid nature." COWPER. 



We cannot with indifference behold this tree 

 which the uncivilized natives of America have 



