Locust-tree

Locust-tree, a name given in different parts of the world to different trees of the natural order Leguminosæ. The Carob-tree (Ceratonia siliqua) is often so called in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, and its pods are the locust-beans of our shops (see CAROB). The Locust-tree of America (Robinia pseud-acacia), also called the False Acacia, or Thorn-acacia, and on the continent of Europe and in Britain very generally the Acacia, is a valuable and extremely beautiful tree (see ROBINIA). The wood, known as Locust-wood, is useful for all purposes in which great strength, and especially toughness, is required: 'locust,' indeed, is the slang term in the United States for a policeman's baton. The Honey Locust-tree (q.v.) of America is a Gleditschia. The Locust-tree of the West Indies is Hymenaea courbaril, a gigantic tree whose pods also supply a nutritious matter, a mealy substance in which the pods are embedded. The bark of the tree is anthelmintic; it yields a kind of resin called Anime (q.v.), and it is valuable as a timber-tree, the timber (also known as Locust-wood) being close-grained and tough.