DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
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ba Indians, a tribe that formerly inhabited that country ; 
and it is probable that the softer epithet now generally 
bestowed upon it in the north, is only a corruption of that 
original name. 
The leaves of this tree are very large, often measuring 
six or seven inches broad ; they are heart-shaped in form, 
smooth, and pale green on the upper side, slightly downy 
beneath. The blossoms are extremely beautiful, hanging 
like those of the Horse-chestnut, in massy clusters beyond 
the outer surface of the foliage. The colour is a pure and 
delicate white, and the inner part of the corolla is delicately 
sprinkled over with violet, or reddish and yellow spots ; 
indeed, the individual beauty of the flowers is so great 
when viewed closely, that one almost regrets that they 
should be elevated on the branches of a large forest tree. 
When these fall, they are succeeded by bean-like capsules 
or seed-vessels, which grow ten or twelve inches long, 
become brown, and hang pendant upon the branches du- 
ring the greater part of the winter. 
The Catalpa never, or rarely, takes a symmetrical form 
when growing up ; but generally forms a wide-spreading 
head, forty or fifty feet in diameter. Its large and abundant 
foliage affords a copious shade, and its growth is quite rapid, 
soon forming a large and bulky tree. In ornamental planta- 
tions it is much varied on account of its superb and showy 
flowers, and is therefore deserving a place in every lawn. 
It is generally seen to best advantage when standing alone, 
but it may also be mingled with other large round-leaved 
trees, as the basswood, etc., when it produces a very pleasing 
effect. The branches are rather brittle, like those of the 
locust, and are therefore somewhat liable to be broken by 
the wind. Accustomed to a warmer climate, the leaves 
