GREGARIOrSXESS AND SOCIABILITY OF SPECIES. 99 



(/") The extremely ready and easy germination of the pine seed. 



(<?) Possession, up to the sapling stage, of numerous dormant 

 buds, which enables the very young pine to resist fires and other 

 extraneous causes of injury quite as well as its broad-leaved com- 

 panions of equal age. 



(h) Its extremely thick corky bark, which protects the cambi- 

 um against any but the severest external injuries. 



(/) The remarkable vitality of its cambium and inner bark, 

 whereby wounds are easily and rapidly healed over. 



(j) The ability of the pine to form a more or less complete 

 leaf-canopy up to the commencement and even middle of the large- 

 pole stage. 



(&) The unfavourable nature of the covering formed by the 

 fallen needles, which opposes the appearance of seedlings of other 

 woody species and in some cases even keeps out grass. 



(/) The remarkably rapid of growth of the pine soon after it is 

 established, and the great strength of its leading shoot. 



(?) Its taller stature in comparison with its ordinary compani- 

 ons. 



(.) The fewer enemies or causes of destruction to which its 

 seeds are exposed as compared with acorns, which are frequently 

 worm-eaten, rot or dry up easily, and are devoured in large quan- 

 tities by bears, monkeys, &c. 



(o) The strong rooting of the pine in spite of its being a coni- 

 fer. 



Anogeissus pendula. 



This tree is a denizen of the dry and arid tracts of Central In- 

 dia, where it forms dense, almost pure forests on the metamorphic 

 formations of the Aravali range and on the Vindhvan sandstones 



*/ 



of Bundelkhand. Its gregariousness is due to the following com- 

 bined causes : 



(a) Perfect suitability of the soil and subsoil and of the climate, 

 wliich admit of only a very poor arborescent flora. 



(I>) Its marked tendency to join and interlace crowns. 



(c) Its profuse annual seeding. 



(d) The easy dissemination of its small winged fruit. 



(e) Its low, dense, spreading crown, tolerating little or no un- 

 dergrowth, not even grass. 



(f) Hence comparative mildness of fire immediately under 

 individuals of it in forest conflagrations. 



(</) Extraordinary powers of recovery owing to the great abun- 

 dance, vitality and vigour of its dormant buds. 



