FORESTS OF MYSORE DISTRICT 



are the teak (Tectona grandis), the honne (Ptero- 

 carpus marsupium), and the blackwood (Dalbergia 

 latifolia). 



The timber is of very mixed character, any one 

 species never monopolising any portion of forest to 

 the exclusion of others, though occasionally, and 

 over limited areas, the bamboo -cane practically 

 usurps the whole of the ground. 



The nature of the forest varies greatly with each 

 change in site, locality, elevation and soil. In low- 

 lying, well-watered and sheltered situations, the 

 mixed timber is very fine, except where deficient 

 natural drainage or unsuitable soil prevents the 

 thriving of timber species, in which cases small 

 trees of no utility take their place. 



Bamboo in large clumps is extremely prevalent ; 

 in some places, as above remarked, forming the 

 major portion of the jungle ; in others, occurring 

 mixed with timber trees ; while here and there, 

 where it is altogether absent, the pleasant 

 variety of open timber forest affords a wider scope 

 for vision than can be obtained amongst the dense 

 cover afforded by the bamboo particularly in its 

 younger stages. 



In high, exposed portions, little arboreal vegeta- 

 tion is observable, except in the sheltered hollows; 

 while in parts, where rock occurs immediately 

 below the surface of the soil, the growth is 

 necessarily stunted and poor. 



Rivers, streams, and nullahs intersect the forests, 

 and afford water for their human inhabitants and 

 for their wild denizens. 



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