THE ACACIA 



687 



ACACIA TWIG. 



is to lessen 

 qucnt chilling. 



Laburnum, it has much 

 in common, particularly 

 in respect of its flowers 

 and fruits. The bark, 

 which is brown in 

 colour, becomes deeply 

 furrowed and uneven, 

 h a \- i n g raised ridges 

 forming a lattice - like 

 pattern. The twigs are 

 olive to brown. The 

 buds, arranged spirally, 

 are entirely hidden in 

 a large angular leaf- 

 scar which lies between 

 two projecting spines. 

 The compound 

 consist of from 

 twelve pairs of 

 with a terminal one. 

 These are oval in shape 

 and without marginal 

 teeth. They 

 in substance, 

 in texture, of 

 green above, 



The flowers are white, fragrant, and 

 hang in pendent tassels, after the manner 

 of those of the Laburnum. They pro- 



leaves 

 five to 

 leaflets 



are thin 



smooth 



a bright 



bluish 



be- 



low. Like the leaves 

 of the Laburnum, the 

 clovers, and some other 

 plants of this order, 

 they close one over 

 another, and become 

 pendent at night, sug- 

 gestive of sleeping. 

 The purpose of this 

 transpiration and conse- 



TKUNrv AND BAKK OF ACACIA. 



vide abundance of nectar. Some \-arieties 

 have yellow, and others rose-coloured, 

 flowers. The fruits are dark red flattened 

 pods, containing six or more seeds. 



Henry Irving. 



ACACIA LEAVES. 



