196 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [Leguminose: 
conjunction with the saul (Shorea robusta) miére extensively used than any other in 
Northern India; but, like every other, subject to be speedily destroyed by the unceasing 
ravages of the white ant. It would be important to ascertain whether timber and vege- 
table matter might not be defended from these destroying hordes by the same process 
as employed by Mr. Kyan in so effectually preserving from the. dry rot, and of which 
so luminous an account was given by Dr. Faraday in his lecture, and subsequently 
in the Quarterly Review. When in India, it was my intention to have prosecuted a series 
of experiments on the subject. 1 commenced by dissolving corrosive sublimate and 
assafeetida in strong spirits (articles, all of which are procurable in every bazar), and — 
poured the solution into any place where the white ants were beginning to make their 
appearance. The process was so effectual, that they were always driven away from the 
point attacked, and my servants were afterwards in the habit of resorting to the same 
measure whenever occasion required. I regret that my avocations did not allow me leisure 
to pursue the subject ; but I commend it to my ingenious friend, Mr. James Prinsep.* 
In conclusion, I have to express my obligations in examining this extensive family to 
Dr.Wight, who compared and named many of those of Indian forms; some of which, 
especially those from near Delhi, he found to be identical with his own from the Penin- 
-sula of India; to Dr. Graham, Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh, for 
the kindness with which he went through the whole of Dr.Wallich’s and my collection 
of Leguminose. Finally, to Mr. Bentham for the following valuable account with which 
he has favoured me of the new species of the tribes Lotee and Viciee. 
Edwardsia mollis ; foliolis 25-29 suboppositis subcoriaceis ellipticis emarginatis subglabris, junioribus 
oblongis obovatisve adpresse sericeis, carina alis vexilloque subzequali—Sophora mollis. Wall. Cat. Herb. 
Ind. n. 5335.—S..Houghiana. Wall. l.c. n. 5336, B. v. Tab. 34. f. 2.—(b. c. d.) standard, ale, and 
petals of carina ;—(e.) stamens and pistil, with the oblique calyx;—(f.) moniliform legume, with the 
persistent stamens ;—(g.) the same cut transversely, to show the four wings;—(h.i.) the seed. 
- This shrub, found about the hills in the Deyra Doon, and about Sahunsadhara, is remarkable for the 
showiness of its inflorescence, as this makes its appearance before the leaves are fully expanded. 
Thermopsis barbata ; sericeo-tomentosa ; foliis sessilibus inferioribus simplicibus 3-4 verticillatis, supe- 
rioribus trifoliolatis, stipulis foliolis equalibus, omnibus oblongo-lanceolatis verticillatim dispositis, racemi 
floribus geminis ternisve, pedicellis calyce longioribus.—Anagyris ? barbata. Grah. Wall. Cat. n. 5341. 
Tab. 34. f. 1.—(e. d. e.) petals ;—(f.) calyx cut open, with stamens and pistil ;—(g.) a legume of unusual 
(h.) of the ordinary form ;—(i.) the seed ;—(k. 1.) the same, with the testa removed ;—{m.) the embryo. 
This plant, remarkable for its showy nature, is also so for the variableness of its leaves; these being 
‘frequently, as represented in the plate, but sometimes the whorl is composed of six leaflets, which might 
be formed either by two sessile and opposite leaves, or by the addition of a leaflet between the pair of 
leaf-like stipules : sometimes the whorl is composed of four leaflets, which must in this case be considered 
simple leaves. The bractez also are remarkable, as forming by their union a calyx-like involucre. 
Himalayan 
_ * While this is passing through the press, I have seen (14th March 1835) specimens at the Royal Institution 
of Oak and Deal,which had been sent to and have returned from India, with a certificate from Mr. Kyd, stating 
that both had been freely exposed in such situations, as wheré timber is never known to escape athe depre- 
dations of white ants ; but neither piece had been touched, and both were returned sound and uninjured. It 
is hardly possible to calculate the benefit of which this may be productive. It remains to be ascertained whether 
the preparation (‘ruskupoor”) procurable in India, is equally efficacious ; as well as to ascertain the Indian woods, 
in which the chemical combination is most complete and effectual in resisting the destructive powers of the 
white ant; powers, second only, if second indeed they be, to the dry rot. 
