LEGUMINOSiE 



43 



all purposes for which a hard wood is required, such as plough- 

 shares, knees and ribs of country boats, naves of wheels, etc. 

 The bark is employed in tanning. The pods form a valuable 

 food for cattle, and the young branches are a favourite food of 

 camels and goats. The bark yields also gum, which is an article 

 of general commerce. 



Other Mimoseae 



are the Red-wood Tree {Adenanthera pavonina; Kan. Manjetti, 

 Manjacli) known for its scarlet seeds; the Soapnut Acacia 

 {Acacia concinna; Kan. Sige); the Fragrant Acacia {Acacia 

 Farnesiana; Kan. Pikjali; Mai. Karivelamj; the Rain Tree 

 {Pithecolobiiim saman)\ the Korukapuli (P. dulce; Kan. Cakli; 

 Tarn. Kodukkapuli) ; the Sirissa Tree {Albizzia Lehhek; Kan. 

 Bage; Tarn. Vagal), and Entada scanclens {Kan. Hallekayi), the 

 latter a liana with legumes of immense size. Another well-known 



Fig. 44. — Mimosa pudica. I. Position at day, 

 or when circumstances are favourable. 



II. Position at night, or whea 

 touched. 



mimosa is the Sensitive Plant {Mimosa pudica; Kan. Nacike-gida) 

 so called from its highly sensitive leaves which fold and bend 

 when touched (fig. 44). "The Sensitive Plants derive protective 



