180 STUDIES IN INDIAN i^UOARCANES 



comparatively few corky markings, a j()ii\t is met with liifijli up, which is simply 

 crowded with them, ])ut the meaning of this is not apparent. 



(b) Short, fine, wavy, closely packed markings, occurring hereand there 

 over the joint, and those at the top sometimes passing into the bloom band. 

 This form is more frequently met in the Saretha series, although it also occurs 

 between the strong parallel lines- in some Simnabile varieties. 



(c) Short, irregular splits, obvious to the naked eye as such, which appear 

 as cracks through the bloom band. These cracks are unlike the corky markings 

 mentioned above, but are presumably of the same nature, in that the other 

 forms sometimes pass into them. They are present in many varieties of both 

 series. Hotte Cheni has been singled out as a form in which all of these forms 

 of cork}^ markings are abundant. 



(7) The colour of the growth rings and root zones, hke the bloom band, 

 sometimes adds considerably to the general effect of the cane colour. Thus 

 the strong white bloom bands, contrasting with the brilhant green of Pntli 

 Khajee, give it a very striking appearance. In the same way the effect of the 

 colour in the growth rings and root zones depends on the general tone of the 

 cane, and the bright green colour of these bands in Putli Khajee makes it 

 difficult to distinguish them. The colour of the growth rings depends a good 

 deal on exposure, the general tendency being for them to assume a darker 

 colour in exposed joints. This is especially noticeable in the brown canes of 

 the Katha section of the Saretha series, where the colour is usually strongest- 

 at the upper and lower margin of the ring. This dense browning of the g^o^\'th 

 rings adds considerably to the general brown effect of the cane colour. The 

 colour at this part of the joint is usually rather fighter in the green canes of the 

 Mesangan section, but the contrast with the glaucous green or glaucous yellow 

 of the rest of the joint often renders them distinct. In the Sunnabile group, 

 on the other hand, the growth rings are distinctly fainter, being often, rather 

 brownish yellow than brown. They are usually most clearly seen in the 

 middle of the cane, w^here they contrast sharply with the clear stone yellow? 

 but they are obscured below by their similarity to the general cane colour. In 

 the younger parts, the growth rings assume a greener tinge. This is especially 

 the case in the canes of the Katha series, where they are often narrow and 

 distinctly depressed. They are green or brown green in the young joints of 

 the Mesangan section and often more brown than green in the Sunnabile 

 group, where also the depressed character is less evident. The root zones are 

 not usually very conspicuous, often taking on the colour tone of the rest of 

 the cane. They are, however, generally paler or yellower. They may be 



