LOCUST, MESQUITE. 



{Robinia, Gleditsia, Prosopis.) 



The name Locust applies to species of three distinct 

 genera, all of which belong to the family Leguminosze. The 

 black locust [Robinia psendacacia), the honey locust (Gleditsia 

 triacanthos), and the Mesquite or honey locust {Prosopis jidi- 

 flord) are principal representatives of their respective kinds. 

 The first-named genus is North American, the other two have 

 species on both continents. 



Black locust wood is tough, dur- 

 able, unequalled for torsional strength 

 and resilience, and is in every way in 

 the first rank of American woods. It 

 is fitteS not only for exposed con- 

 structions, but for finer articles ; hubs, 

 pins, bolts, and trenails having no 

 superiors. Trees develop rapidly 

 when young, heart wood forming as 

 early as the third year. Later growth 

 and ultimate commercial value in the 

 United States are much affected by 

 insect borers, which practically limit 

 the usefulness of the species. The 

 black locust may be known by its 

 clusters of large pea-blossom-shaped 

 flowers, its bean-shaped pods, three 

 to six inches in length, and by the 

 prickles on the bark. The genus has 

 six species, four of which are natives of the United States.* 

 Robinia is from .Robin, the name of an early French botanist. 



* Three of the four United States species are trees ; the other species of this 

 genus grow in Mexico. No one is approximately as important or well known as 

 the Black Locust. 



75 



Black Locust (Robinia pseud- 

 acacia^ 



