Mar. 1910.] Conditions in Central and Western Kansas. 335 



PLATE 28. Caialpa catalpa Karst. (C. bignonioides Walt.) Seeds, natural size. 



appear to be growing naturally in the Southern states are the offspring 

 of trees carried there by man. 



"The wood of Catalpa catalpa is soft, not strong, coarse-grained, and 

 very durable in contact with the soil, with numerous obscure medullary 

 rays and rows of large open ducts clearly marking the layers of annual 

 growth; it is light brown, with lighter colored, often nearly white sap- 

 wood, composed of one or two layers of annual growth. The specific 

 gravity of the absolutely dry wood is 0.4474, a cubic foot weighing 27.88 

 pounds. It is used, and highly valued, for fence-posts, rails and other 

 purposes where durable wood is needed. 



"The bark, which contains tannin and an amorphous bitter principle, 

 has been occasionally used, as well as the seeds, in decoctions for the treat- 

 ment of bronchitis, and in homeopathic practice." ("The Silva of North 

 America," Charles Sprague Sargent, vol. VI, p. 86.) 



