ACACIA. 47 



the branches to the trunk, and from the trunk 

 conveyed to the root. These winged leaves 

 expand themselves again in fine weather 

 to exhale oxygen gas, but at the approach of 

 night they again close their leaves, as if to 

 sleep, and are thought to give out carbonic 

 acid from their under surface. An infant, 

 who had observed this natural phenomenon 

 from it's nursery window, observed, "it was not 

 bedtime, for the acacia tree had not begun 

 its prayers ;" 



" Thus every object of creation, 

 Can furnish hints to contemplation; 

 And from the most minute and mean, 

 A virtuous mind can morals glean." 



GAY. 



The Robinia or, false acacia, is not deli- 

 cate as to soil, for it will grow in earth of 

 every kind, but prospers best in such as is 

 light and sandy. The finest trees are those 

 raised from seed, which should be sown in 

 light earth, about the end of March, and in 

 about six weeks the young plants will appear; 

 they may be transplanted the following year, 

 for all trees that have a tap-root it is advisa- 

 ble to transplant young. This tree is also 

 propagated by suckers and cuttings ; but these 

 seldom prove so handsome as those raised 

 from seed. 



