LEflUMINOPJE. 115 



the Inner Himalaya and in the tropical forests of Malabar and Tenasserhn. Many 

 of the largest and most important of our forest trees belong to this Order, and with 

 few exceptions they produce valuable timbers. It is divided into three Sub-Orders, 

 viz. 



I. Papilionacese. 

 II. Cipsalpiui' 

 III. Mimoseae. 



With the exception of the following- genera, Sesbania, Butea, Ery- 

 tJirina, Pongamia, and a few species of Dalbergia (D. lanceolaria and pani- 

 culata), the wood of the Leguminosse is characterised by a distinct, hard, 

 dark-coloured heartwood. The pores vary in size, but are generally 

 moderate-sized, large or very large, and enclosed in rings or patches of 

 soft texture, which frequently are confluent, so as to form concentric 

 bands. The medullary rays are generally sharply denned, moderately 

 broad and equidistant (exceptions are Erythrina and Albizzia). 



As regards the structure of their wood, leguminous trees may be 

 most conveniently divided into the following groups, which it will be 

 seen do not correspond with the established division of the Order into 

 genera : 



A. OUGEINIA GROUP. 



Pores enclosed in elongated patches of soft tissue, which are arranged 

 in more or less concentric lines. Exceedingly prominent and straight 

 medullary rays. To this group belong Ougeinia dalbergioides, Afzelia 

 bijuga, Tamarindus indica, Cassia Fistula, maryinata and the new Cassia 

 from the Andaman Islands. 



B. PROSOPIS GROUP. 



Pores enclosed in irregularly shaped patches of soft tissue, which 

 are more or less united in concentric bands. To this group belong Pros- 

 opis spicigera, and the following species of Acacia, viz. : Farnesiana, 

 Catechu, leucophlota^ ebnrnea and pennata. Indigo/era, Piptanthus and 

 Desmodinm are nearly allied to this group, but differ by having the patches 

 of soft tissue more oblique and less concentric. 



To this group also belongs H&matoxylon campeachianum or <( Log- 

 wood/' 



C. DALBERGIA GROUP. 



Numerous, narrow, wavy, concentric bands of soft tissue, sometimes 

 interrupted. To this belong all species of Dalbergia, except D. nigres- 

 cens, the identification of which is doubtful, all species of PterocarpuSj 

 Derris robust a t Cfssalpinia crista or " Redwood, " and Bapkia nitida t the 

 " Barwood" of the West African Coast. 



D. BAUHINIA GROUP. 



Numerous, regularly distributed, concentric bands of soft tissue, which 

 are broader than those in the Dalbergia group. To this belong Ponga- 

 mia glabra, all species of Bauhinia, Cynometra, Cassia Siamea and 

 Mi lletlia pe n itu la . 



