430 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



attained the height of 60 feet. It is remarkable for the 

 trunk being armed vdth strong forked spines, 3 or 4 inches 

 in length, and of a very formidable appearance. 



Gymnocladus canadensis. Another North American tree, 

 attaining the height of 40 feet or more, having thick, stiff, 

 spreading branches, bearing large compound winged deciduous 

 leaves. A specimen at Kew in one hundred years attained 

 the height of about 40 feet. 



Judas Tree {Cercis siliquastrum). A rude-growing tree, 

 fi^om 20 to 30 feet high, having a spreading head of stiff 

 branches, simple lilac Syringa-like leaves, and pink flowers, 

 which are produced on the old wood and branches of the 

 tree, before the leaves appear, giving it a remarkable ap- 

 pearance in the distance. It is found wild throughout South- 

 ern Europe, Western Asia, and even in Japan. The wood is 

 hard, blotchy, and waved, and takes a fine polish. The tree 

 is abundant in Palestine, and has been long introduced into this 

 country. A sujjjDOsed second species is found in Canada. 



Broom (Spartium scoparius). A shrub, native of Britain, 

 and throughout Europe. It is well known for its beautiful 

 yellow flowers, and for its numerous uses in domestic eco- 

 nomy. In Spain and France it attains the size of a tree, and 

 its wood, which is hard, is highly valued for veneering and 

 cabinet work. The fibre of the bark is very strong, and 

 capable of being used for many purposes. 



Spartium nionospermum. A plant abundant throughout the 

 desert countries of Syria and Palestine. It is extensively 

 used for making charcoal, and appears to be " the coals of 

 Juniper," referred to in the Psalms,* 



Erytlirina Corallodendron. Common throughout the West 

 Indies and tropical America, and is, with other species, 

 called Coral Tree from its red seeds, which are made into 

 necklaces, like coral. They are soft wooded, often gouty- 

 stemmed trees, with prickly branches, laurel-like trifoliate 

 leaves, and with long spikes of splendid red flowers. 



* Psalm cxx. ver. 4. 



