272 USES OF THE BABUL. 



tween Sehwan and Sukkur, above whicli tlie 

 balin and tuli are most common. The babul 

 is of veiy quick growth and extremely tough, as 

 appears by the result of experiments in the 

 naval yard at Kotree, where the best teak 

 broke with a strain of 3cwt. only, whilst ba- 

 bul did not break till a strain of 3cwt 3qrs., 

 was applied. Wlien the babul is seasoned 

 white ants rarely attack it ; it is a heavy wood, 

 and will only float when it is well seasoned, 

 thus its weight precludes its being floated down 

 the river. It is much used in the Indus flotilla 

 for steamer's tillers, main-pieces for rudders, 

 jDaddle floats, boat knees, stanchions, &c., also 

 for beams in buildings ; it is used in the arsenal 

 for naves of wheels, felloes, &c., and for any 

 work where particular strength is required. 

 The seed pods are used for fattening cattle, and 

 the bark for tanning; gum and lac are also 

 collected fi^om it, and it is the best wood for 

 fuel for steamers and other purposes ; camels 

 and goats are very fond of the leaves. In good 

 soil, well watered, the babul grows from 25 to 

 30 feet high, and two feet six inches in circum- 

 ference in four years, and if pruned it grows 

 straight. 



