t; petals 3-5, somewhat wider than the sepals, and
inserted with the 3-10 stamens on the calyx: pistil in sterile flowers
abortive or wanting, conspicuous in the fertile flowers. Parts of the
flower more or less pubescent, arachnoid-pubescent within, near the
base.

=Fruit.=--Pods dull red, 1-1-1/2 feet long, flat, pendent, and often
twisted, containing several flat brown seeds.

=Horticultural Value.=--Hardy throughout New England, grows in any
well-drained soil, but prefers a deep, rich loam; transplants readily,
grows rapidly, is long-lived, free from disease, and makes a picturesque
object in ornamental plantations, but is objectionable in public places
and highly finished grounds on account of the stiff spines, which are a
source of danger to pedestrians, and also on account of the long
strap-shaped pods, which litter the ground. There is a thornless form
which is better adapted than the type for ornamental purposes. The type
is sometimes offered in nurseries at a low price by the quantity.
Propagated from seed.

[Illustration: PLATE LXVI.--Gleditsia triacanthos.]

1. Winter buds.
2. Winter buds with thorns.
3. Flowering branch.
4. Sterile flower, enlarged.
5. Flowering branch, flowers mostly fertile.
6. Fertile flower, enlarged.
7. Fruiting branch.
8. Leaf partially twice pinnate.

=Robinia Pseudacacia, L.=

LOCUST.

=Habitat and Range.=--In its native habitat growing upon mountain
slopes, along the borders of forests, in rich soils.

Naturalized from Nova Scotia to Ontario.

Maine,--thoroughly at home, forming wooded banks along streams; New
Hampshire,--abundant enough to be reckoned among the valuable timber
trees; Vermont,--escaped from cultivation in many places; Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and Connecticut,--common in patches and thickets and along
the roadsides and fences.

Native from southern Pennsylvania along the mountains to Georgia;
west to Iowa and southward.

=Habit.=--Mostly a small tree, 20-35 feet high, under favorable
conditions reaching a height of 50-75 feet; trunk diameter 8 inches to 2
1/2 feet; lower branches thrown out horizontally or at a broad angle,
forming a few-branched, spreading top, clothed with a tender green,
delicate, tremulous foliage, and distinguished in early June by loose,
pendulous clusters of white fragrant flowers.

=Bark.=--Bark of trunk dark, rough and seamy even in young trees, and
armed with stout prickles which dis