Page:Tree Crops; A Permanent Agriculture (1929).pdf/119

This page needs to be proofread.

AT H Photo E. R. Deats FIG. 38. Mesquite beans, cross section, reduced two-sevenths in diameter. His from Hawaii (courtesy J. M. Westgate). T is from Texas (courtesy H. Ness). A is from Arizona (courtesy J. J. Thornber). Mr. Thornber says: "I am somewhat in doubt about the species. The pods are very similar to Prosopis Velutina but the tree resembles quite closely that of Prosopis Glandulosa except the leaves are scarcely Glandulosa and the tree grows to a considerable height. We have never determined definitely what species this mesquite is." That quotation reflects the glorious battle that has raged and still rages among the botanists as to how many species there are of mesquite. Note the fatness of the beans.