DIOSPYROS 651 



either coupe the average number of shoots per stool was 1-4, and the rate of 

 growth of this species was slower than that of any other species present. 

 Measurements in 1912-13 in coppice coupes one year old in Bhandara, Central 

 Provinces, showed an average height of 5-1 ft., as against 7-1 ft. for teak, 

 3-0 ft. for BucJianania latifolia, and 3-8 ft. for Soyynida fehrifuga. 



Measurements made in 1910 by Mr. C. M. McCrie in coppice coupes in the 

 Gorakhpur district. United Provinces, gave the following results : 



Diospyros tomentosa : rate of gro%vth of coppice, Gorakhpur. 



2. Diospyros Embryopteris, Pers. Vern. Gab, kala tendu, Hind. ; Timburi, 

 Mar. ; Kusharta, Kan. ; Niti tumiki, Tel. 



A moderate-sized% much-branched, handsome evergreen tree with a short 

 bole and a dense rounded crown of dark green foliage with shining coriaceous 

 leaves. Bark smooth, dark greenish grey. The fruits are rich in tannin, and 

 the unri]3e fruits contain a viscid pulp used as gum in bookbinding and for 

 paying the seams of boats. The tree is often planted for ornament in gardens ; 

 it is not a timber tree. 



Distribution and habitat. The sub-Himalayan tract from the Jumna 

 to the Tista, Chota NagjDur, in many parts of the Indian Peninsula, and in 

 Martaban and Tenasserim. The tree frequents moist and even swampy 

 ground along streams and in shady ravines, where it is sometimes more or less 

 gregarious. In the Dehra Dun valley it is characteristic of swamp forests, in 

 association with Putranjiva Roxburghii, Ficus glomerata, Eugenia Jambolana, 

 Pterosjperrnum acerifolium, Carallia lucida, Trewia nudijiora, Bischoffia javanica, 

 and a few other species. In the Sundarbans it is found on old village sites in 

 the interior. 



Flowering and fruiting. In northern India the creamy white fragrant 

 flowers appear from March to May along with the young leaves, which are 

 bright crimson. The fruits begin to ripen about May in the following year, 

 but may be found on the tree for a few months later ; they are more or less 

 globose, 1-5-2 in. in diameter, covered with a red velvety tomentum (Fig. 

 249, a) ; they contain about 5-8 seeds in a glutinous pulp. The seeds (Fig. 

 249, b) are 0-6-0-8 in. by 0-4-0-45 in., compressed, with a fairly thick testa ; 

 about 350-400 weigh 1 lb. The fertihty of fresh seed is high, but so far as 

 tests at Dehra Dun show the seed does not retain its vitahty for a year. The 

 fruits are eaten by fruit-bats and monkeys, and the seeds are distributed by 

 their agency. 



Germination (Fig. 249, c-g). Epigeous. The radicle emerges from one 

 end of the seed and descends rapidly, forming a black taproot of some length 

 before the elongation of the hypocotyl is completed. The hypocotyl elongates 

 by arching, and in straightening raises above ground the cotyledons enclosed 

 in the testa and albumen. 'The cotyledons are caducous, and are usually left 



