306 FORAGE LEGUMINOS^ 



The following is the composition of leaves and stems, such as are 

 eaten by animals, gathered in January, i.e._, in full growth : — 



Water 



Ash 



Cellulose 



Fat 



Non-nitrogenous matter 



Nitrogenous matter 



The ash of these leaves has the following mineral content :- 



In some countries, in the Comoros for instance, where Leiicsena 

 glauca grows more or less indiscriminately, the leaves also serve as 

 food for young goats (Desruisseaux). 



Pithecolobium dulce. — Pithccolohhini didce is a tree belonging to the 

 Leguminosae, which grows in poor soils in warm dry spots. It may 

 grow to a height of 5 to 6 metres and is very resistant to drought. 

 During winter, that is to say in the dry season, it loses a portion of 

 its leaves and becomes rather sickly in appearance, but directly the 

 first rains commence it becomes green again, flowers, and produces 

 pods which, through their colour, give the tree a delightful appearance. 

 The pods are dehiscent. The pulp takes on a reddish hue, while the 

 seeds remain black and the husk shows tones of brown and green. 



The pulp of these pods has a pronouncedly sweet flavour and is 

 greatly sought after by animals. Monkeys, in particular, feed on them 

 when the plants occur on the sides of hills, and they are much liked 

 by beasts generally. 



The plant certainly has possibilities as regards animal feeding, but 

 unfortunately the pods when heaped ferment very quickly and cannot 

 even stand long transport ; when freshly gathered they have a pleasant 

 taste and are then at their best as regards food. 



The seed forms 17 per cent, of the whole pod, the pulp 53 per cent., 

 and the husk 30 per cent. 



A certain amount of research has been done at the Agronomic 

 Station at Mauritius on the value of this food. 



