156 LEOUAIINOSJB. [ Acacia. 



moderate-sized and divided into compartments conspicuously marked oil 

 a vertical section. Medullary rays short and fine. 



New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Introduced on the 

 Nilgiris since 1840 and now completely naturalised. Also being grown in the lulls of 

 the Punjab, Kumaun and Sikkim. 



With regard to its rate of growth, Colonel Beddome, in his Report of April 1878 

 on the Nilgiri plantations, says that in the Bleakhouse plantation, Wellington, the 

 average girth of the trees in the portion which is 21 to 22 years old, taken from the 

 measurement of 30 trees as they came, was 35 inches at 6 feet from the ground (about 

 4 rings per inch of radius), the girth of some of the largest trees being 56, 55, 50, 

 46 and 44 inches. Our specimen was cut from a tree 20 years old and 90 feet high ; it 

 gave a plank 2 feet broad. The wood seems to be regarded on the Nilgiris as very 

 inferior to that of Eucalyptus Globulus, either for timber or firewood ; its growth is 

 much slower and it is attacked by species of Loranthus, which parasites in time kill 

 the tree. It does not coppice well, unless cut very young. 



Weight, according to Mr. Kewbery (Timbers of Victoria, 1877), 41 to 48 Ibs. per 

 cubic foot ; our specimen gives 36 Ibs. 



It is used in Australia for cabinet work, coach-building, railway carriages and 

 agricultural implements ; on the Nilgiris chiefly for firewood. Its bark is used for 

 tanning. 



Ibs. 

 W 1100. Nilgiri Hills 36 



Besides A. melanoxylon and A. dealbata, there are several other species of Wattle, 

 some of which are cultivated in India. A. decurrens, Willd., the " Common " or " Black " 

 Wattle, is a small or medium-sized tree ; larger in moist localities. According to Mr. 

 Newbery, the wood weighs 45 to 48 Ibs. per cubic foot. It is being grown in several 

 places in India. A.pycnantha, Bth., the "Golden" or "Broad-leaf" Wattle, is the 

 most valuable species for tanner's bark and gum. Its wood weighs 51'51bs. per 

 cubic foot. A. homalophylla, A. Cunn., is the Myallwood, a small tree with a hard, 

 dark wood with the scent of violets. 



Wattles grow in almost any soil, but their growth is best in loose, sandy places or 

 where the surface has been broken for agricultural or other purposes. It is well, before 

 sowing the seed, to soak it for a short time in warm water ; this moistens the outer 

 shell and induces more speedy germination. The seeds generally germinate in from 

 7 to 10 days, and are apt to damp off if too carelessly watered. 



29. ALBIZZIA, Durazzini. 



Contains 10 Indian species, most of which are common large trees found over the 

 greater part of India, and are here described. A. myriopJiylla, Bl. ; Hook. Fl. Ind. ii. 

 300; Kurz i. 426,(Mimosa microp/tylla,lloxb.T?l. I'ud. ii.549) Vern. Teiuliya, Sylhet, 

 is a small evergreen tree of Sikkim, the Khasia Hills, Eastern Bengal and Tenasserim. 

 A. clcgans, Kurz i. 427, is a large evergreen tree of the tropical forests of the Pegu 

 Yornas; while A. lophantha, Bth. Fl. Austr. ii. 421 ; Brandis 174, is an Australian 

 tree of rapid growth, which has now been completely naturalised on the Nilgiri Hills. 

 JI.n-oii von Miiller says that it seeds profusely and germinates most easily, and is very 

 valuable for re-clothing desert tracts, where it is important quickly to create shade, 

 shelter and copious vegetation. The bark may be used for tanning. A now species has 

 lalfly been discovered in the Chanda district, Central Provinces, by Mr. 11. Thompson, 

 called Silari. It is a large tree with short trunk, spreading branches and large fruit. 



The structure of Attnzzia is characterised by large or moderate-sized 

 not very numerous pores, which are exceedingly prominent on a verti- 

 cal section, the pores of successive concentric strata being 1 not parallel, but 

 running obliquely into each other. The medullary rays are not ^nerally 

 prominent, and the wood is softer than that of most species of Acacia. 



1. A. Lebbek, Bentli.; Hook. Fl. Ind. ii. 298 ; Beddome t. 53 ; 

 Hrandis 176; Kurz i. 427. Mimosa Sir if fa, Roxb. Fl. Ind. ii. 511. 

 The Siris Tree. Vern. 6V w, xin'ii, x'u'iii, /v/Av/.v, tantiu, garso, Hind.; 

 tiir ix/i t Beni;'.; llarrcri, Punch Mehals; Vagke t kal vayhc, Tain.; 



