297 



THE ACACIA. 



EOBINIA PSEUD-ACACIA. 



Natural Order — Leguminos^. 



CVass— DiADELPHiA. OvcUr — Decandria. 



The Acacia, or, more properly, the False Acacia, tliough 

 an American tree, is entitled to a distinct notice among 

 Britisli trees, from its having been one of the first trees 

 introduced into England from N'orth America, from its 

 common occurrence, from the large size which it attains, 

 and from the value of its timber. It Avas formerly supposed 

 to be identical with the Acacia of Egypt, a tree which 

 was imagined by the early missionaries to have snpplied 

 John the Baptist with food in the wilderness. From this 

 circumstance it acquired the name of Locust-tree. The 

 French called it Eobinia, after ]\I. Jean Eobin (nurseryman 

 to King Henry IV. of France), whose son was the first 

 person who cultivated it in Europe. 



The Acacia is a rough-barked tree, with straggling, twisted 

 branches, which are elegantly feathered with bright green, 

 pinnated foliage. The flowers are shaped like those of the 

 Laburnum, but larger, flesh-coloured or lilac, sweet-scented, 

 and hang down in dense clusters. The young shoots are 

 smooth, of a purplish-brown hue, and armed with rigid 

 prickles. It was originally introduced and cultivated for 

 its beauty, and during the summer months it is a most 

 elegant object. The principal objection alleged against it 

 is, that it is late in coming into leaf, and sheds its foliage 

 very early : the branches, too, being very brittle, are liable 

 to be snapped off by the wind, even in situations which 

 are not particularly exposed. Evelyn recommends it as 

 " deserving a place among our avenue trees, adorning our 

 walks with its exotic leaves and sweet flowers ; very hardy 

 against the pinching winter ; but not so proof against its 



: > 



