ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. {a3 
B. frondosa and superba, further remarkable for producing a gum corresponding in its Pppear- 
ance and properties with kino. The seed of the former is much esteemed by the native prac- 
tioners as an anthelmintic An infusion of the flowers of both these species dye cotton, previ- 
ously prepared with alum, a bright yellow, which may be changed by an alkali into a deep 
redish orange. The lac insect is often found on its young branches. The Punga tree ( Pon- 
gamia or Dalbergia arborea ) is one of the most ornamental trees that grows, and the s 
possess the rare property, in this family, of yielding to expression a fine fixed oil, to which the 
natives attribute valuable medicinal properties as an external application in irruptive diseases. 
The wood is white and appears close grained and firm, but is not so faras | am aware much 
esteemed by the joiner. Roxburgh however says it serves for a variety of economical pur- 
poses, The branches like those of many other Indian trees strike root readily when stuck in the 
ground, and cattle are fond of brousing on the leaves, hence it might be usefully employed as 
fodder. 
The bark and flowers of our Milletia piscidia, (Galedupa piscidia, Roxb.) have the 
property, when powdered and thrown into water, of poisoning fish. Dalbergia sissoo affords a 
timber “ tolerably light, and remarkably strong, but unfortunately not so durable as could be 
wished. It answers well for various economical purposes; the color is a light grayish brown, 
with darker coloured veins. Upon the whole [ scarcely know any other tree that deserves 
more attention, for, when its rapid growth in almost every soil, its beauty, and uses are taken 
into account, few trees can be compared with it’—Roxb. D. lalifolia yields the much admired 
black wood so universally employed for making furniture. Roxburgh observes “ on the Malabar 
coast this tree must grow to an immense size, as | have seen planks from thence full three feet 
and a half broad, and if we allow nine inches of white wood to have been on the outside of 
these trees the circumference must have been 15 feet exclusive of the bark.” ‘This is the 
Sit-sal of Bengal, but is not so heavy there as that on the Coast of Coromandel and Malabar. 
Some other species of this genus afford good timber. The only genus of this tribe that remains 
to be mentioned in this hasty review is Pterocarpus, that from which kino and the red Sandal 
or Saunders wood is derived. ‘lhe species are all trees of considerable magnitude, and those I 
have seen of great beauty. From wounds in the bark of P. Marsupium, Roxburgh observes 
the present day is obtained. 
[have not myself heard of the timber of these trees being much used, and Roxburgh 
does not mention that of any except P. dalbergioides, which he says grows to an immense size, 
having seen planks 4 feet broad of coloured wood, exclusive of the outside white wood. He 
says itis not unlike Mahogany but rather redder, heavier, and coarser, in grain “ that of thi 
root is most beautifully variegated, | may say marbled, closer grained, and darker coloured.” 
Ainslie states that Vayngie wo . bilobus or Marsupium, (they are the same tree) is reckoned 
by the natives very useful “ itis of a redish colour and is employed in making doors and win- 
dows, and for other common purposes.” From the meagreness of these notices it would app2ar 
the wood of most of them is not much esteemed or is imperfectly known. With these brief 
remarks I close my account of this sub-order, but I trust enough has been said to show its im- 
portance though not to give an adequate idea of its value to mankind, 
: Sub-order C.zsaLpines. 
_ This sub-order consists for the most part of trees and shrubs, rarely herbaceous plants. 
Leaves abruptly pinnate, bi-pinnate or unequally pinnate, rarely simple or bifid, that is, composed 
of 2 leaflets united towards the base ; often furnished with peltate glands on the rachis: stipule, 
free or adnate to the petiol, sometimes armed. Flowers usually bisexual, sometimes unisexuas 
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