TREES, INDIGENOUS AND EXOTIC. 87 



the branches, the arrangement would be complete! 

 Nevertheless, he had the top cut off it. 



A species of silkworm, Attacus (Bombyx) Cynthia, 

 feeds on the leaves of the Ailantus. The moth is 

 very large and handsome, a magnificent insect, which 

 will reward the lepidopterist who takes the trouble to 

 rear it. M. Ve"rany, in the " Statistique des Alpes- 

 Maritimes," recommends the planting of the Ailantus 

 on a large scale, in order to feed this useful insect. 

 Kirby says that it may be reared in England easily 

 enough, but the silk is too difficult to wind. 



Melia Azedarach and GreviUea are two more of 

 the exotic trees which seem to be supplanting the 

 European ones on the Riviera. We will take the 

 Melia first : an Asiatic tree with twice pinnate deci- 

 duous leaves of a lustrous dark green, and fragrant 

 lilac or purple flowers. The popular name is " Bead 

 Tree " or " Pride of India." The Neem tree of the 

 Anglo-Indian is closely allied. 



The beads (Fig. 34) make a pretty necklace : you 

 have only to scrape the fruits, they are ready carved, 

 and are even provided with a hole for the thread. In 

 those countries where the kernels are strung together 

 to form rosaries, the Melia has obtained the name 

 of " Arbor sane ta." The tree has the reputation of 

 being obnoxious to insects, and for this reason it is 

 often planted near stables to drive away flies. Both 

 the leaves and the fruits are considered to be 

 poisonous. Birds which swallow these fruits some- 

 times fall to the ground insensible ; but they soon 

 recover from the effects of the poison, and are able 

 to fly away, unless a small boy has twisted their necks. 

 The young negroes lie in wait under the trees for this 



