162 THE GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



which, Eobinia pseudacacia, is very commonly 

 cultivated in this country, and is known by the 

 name of thorn acacia. It is a very fast growing 

 tree, and, when in blossom, is very elegant, with 

 its abundant bunches of white sweet-scented 

 blossoms, resembling those of the laburnum, 

 except in colour. It is highly valued in Ame- 

 rica for its timber, which is very durable, and is 

 often employed in ship-building, being con- 

 sidered scarcely inferior in any respect to Eng- 

 lish oak. Another species, (Eobinia hispida,) is 

 an exceedingly ornamental plant in shrubberies, 

 growing from three to six feet high, and with 

 beautiful clusters of large rose-coloured blossoms. 

 In the forests of the Missouri, above St. 

 Louis, appear thorny roses, which ascend to the 

 top of the highest trees, and adorn them with 

 countless red .flowers. The autumnal tints of 

 the forests in the middle States are beautiful, 

 and of endless variety ; the dark leaves of the 

 evergreen pine, the red foliage of the maple, the 

 yellow beech, tfie scarlet oak, and the purple 

 qyssa, with all their intermediate tints, ever 

 changing with the light and distance, produce 

 an effect at sunset that would astonish the 

 native of a country with a more sober coloured 

 flora, under a more cloudy sky. Kalmias, 

 hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and azaleas, with a 

 large variety of timber trees, many of which are 

 little known in this country, are some of the 

 most interesting plants of the United States flora, 

 which is nearly twice as rich in species as that 

 of Britain. 



