MESQUITE TREE (Prosopis julillora). A shrub or tree belonging to the natural order Le?mminosa., found from central Texas to east ern California. and southward through Mexico and Central America to Chile and Argentina, I and also in Jamaica. It is also known as honey locust, honey pod. algaroba. and has been intro ' dnce41 in the Hawaiian where it is highly prized for its timber, shade. and for its pods, which are an important stock food. In the United States the tree attains its best develop ment in the valleys of western Texas, New co. and Arizona. In sonic places it is the only tree. According to its surroundings. the mes quite varies from a straggling, spiny shrub to a widely branched tree 50 feet high and 3 feet in diameter. the latter size being attained in rich valleys, where water is available to the deeply penetrating roots. When once established it withstands extreme heat and drought. The wood is exceedingly durable, and is much used for posts, house foundations, and similar structures, as well as for fuel. The leaves, which are eaten by stock, have about the same composition as alfalfa hay. The pods, which grow ill clusters of from 2 to 10, and are from -I to S inches long, are slender, white or yellow, contain a number of small hard seeds, and are rich in sugar, on which account they are eagerly eaten by cattle, horses, and mules. When eaten with out preparation, much of the nutritive value is lust, since the seeds are voided without being digested; but when gathered, dried, and ground, their value is greatly increased. since the nitro genous beans are saved. Two forms of gum are produced by the mesquite tree. One, resembling gum arable, exudes as small clear or amber-col ored drops from the trunks. It makes ail excel lent mucilage, and has been employed in laun dries and for confectionery. The other, ob tained from wounds in the trunks, occurs in black, brittle, larger masses. It contains as much as 20 per cent. of tannin, and with route form of it-on is used by the Mexicans as a black dye stuff. During the flowering period. which lasts tor about two months. the trees are visited by bees for the abundant nectar. which makes a clear honey of very agreeable flavor. Mexicans make a cathartic by pounding the inner hark in water and adding salt to the mixtore. A second
species, Prosopis is known as the screw' Mean or curly mesquite. It is a shrub or small tree growing in situation., similar to the previous one. Its pods are spirally curled into close rigid cylinders. The uses of this species are very similar to those described above.
Fr. mets. It. Mr messq, course at table. from Lat. missus, past part. of mitt-0c, to send). A military and naval term originally signifying a dish or portion of food. but now used in the sense of a number or asso ciation of officers or men taking their meals to gether. The officers' mess of an army post in the United States Army can only be established, or have quarters assigned for such purpose, when a majority of its officers, who must be not less than three in number, unite in a mess. When ever possible the enlisted men mess together by companies. An officer appointed by the post commander has charge of the general mess affairs. makes necessary `purchases, and cares for the mess fund.
The system of messing, as regards the soldier. is practically the same throughout Europe, vary ing in comfort and food according to the country and army organization.
On board men-of-war the admiral messes alone or with the captain. if agreeable to both. The ward-room mess includes all ward-room officers. The junior officers (ensig,ns—if not in the ward room—naval cadets, pay clerks, etc.) have a separate mess room, as have also the warrant officers (boat-swains, gunners, carpenters. war rant machinists, pharmaeists). The enlisted force in most ships forms the 'general mess! The men are divided into convenient units messes, according to the size of the tables: the chief petty officers and those of the first class have their own tables, and when possible are granted special privileges in their messing ar rangeinents. In ships on board which the 'gen eral mess' system has not been established, the crew is divided into several messes, according to the number.
To each officers' mess are allotted a cook. stew ard, and servants, the number of the latter de pending upon the number 4)t officers in the The servants tor nurses 0101(1(1111S, as they are called tare not merely waiters and personal attend ants, but in aethill they are ammunition passers.