PULSE OR LEGUMINOUS SEEDS. 173 



The carob-tree was introduced into India about the year 1840. 

 Several attempts to acclimatise it have been subsequently made 

 with varying measures of success. The failures which have 

 occurred have generally been due to neglect of the plants during 

 their young state, or to the unsuitable climate of the localities 

 where they have been planted. The tree flourishes in a dry and 

 poor soil, and requires such a climate as prevails in many parts of 

 the Punjab, the North-West Provinces, Oudh and Rajputana. 

 The tree fruits when it is 6 or 7 years old, and when in full 

 bearing produces about 8 cwt. of pods per tree. In Cyprus, 

 where the tree grows luxuriantly, several varieties are distin- 

 guished ; the pods of the best kinds are less astringent than those 

 of the wild sort. They are used occasionally in Southern Europe 

 for human food, especially in times of scarcity, and are prized 

 everywhere as horse and cattle fodder. For the latter purpose 

 they are generally employed with beans or barley. The wood 

 of the carob-tree is sound and hard. 



THE INGA-BEAN. 

 Pithecolobium dulce, Benth. 

 Synonym Inga dulcis (Willd.). 



A middle-sized tree, belonging to the natural order Legumi- 

 noseae, sub-order Mimoseae, and tribe Acacieae, with bipinnate 

 glabrous leaves ; a native of tropical America, but cultivated 

 throughout India. The pod is 4 to 5 inches long, 6 to 8-seeded. 

 The black seeds are half enveloped in a white pulpy edible aril. 



COMPOSITION OF INGA-BEANS (C). 



In 100 parts. In i Ib. 



Water 13-5 ... i oz. 70 grs. 



Albuminoids 17-6 ... 2 357 



Starch, etc. 41-4 ... 6 273 



Fat 17-1 .., 2 322 



Fibre ... 7-8 ... r 108 



Ash 2-6 o ,, 182 



