316 AROUND THE WORLD VIA INDIA. 



one of the best kinds of gum arabic for medicinal and 

 technical purposes. Cattle are fond of its leaves. The 

 wood is hard and durable, and the pods and bark are 

 used for tanning. 



( hie of the most interesting trees to be found in 

 India, although without medical interest, is the banyan 

 tret; (Ficus bengalensis) . While at Calcutta I made a 

 special pilgrimage to see the famous banyan tree in the 

 Botanical Garden, six miles from the center of the city. 

 A label attached to the stem of the mother tree bears 

 the following legend: "This tree is about 135 years 

 old; the circumference of its trunk, at about 5% feet 

 from the ground, is 51 feet, and of its crown about 

 938 feet. It has 464 aerial roots actually rooted in 

 the ground." The sight of this veteran of the Botanical 

 Garden is inspiring. The daughter trees form a cir- 

 cular colonnade and their interweaving branches a roof 

 under which a whole regiment of soldiers would find 

 an ample camping ground. The mother tree shows 

 signs of far advanced senile decay, but her offspring 

 have gained an independent existence and will keep her 

 memory fresh for many generations to come. Since I 

 saw this wonder of the Indian forests I have learned 

 that the banyan tree at Ahemabad is still larger and 

 the largest in the world. Had I known this before I 

 would bave intercepted my itinerary at that ancient city. 



For technical purposes, the most valuable tree in 

 India is the teak tree (Tectona grandis). It is a su- 

 perb timber tree. It sheds its very large leaves annual- 

 ly. Teak wood is held in the highest esteem by ship- 

 builders; for the backing of ironclad men-of-war it is 

 preferred to any other wood; also for the panels of 

 coaches and inside finishing of houses, and for various 

 other select purposes. The wood is extremely hard 

 and scarcely shrinks. This wood is sold in London at 

 $1 5 per 50 cubic feet. 



The siris-acacia (Albizzia Lebbech) is a very com- 

 mon and beautiful shade tree. It produces also a good 



