

CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 455 



Hindoo festival. Before proceeding to the temple the Mahratta 

 women gathered from two trees, which were flowering some- 

 what below, each a fine truss of blossom, and inserted it in the 

 hair at the back of her head, which she had seemingly combed 

 and dressed with uncommon care for the occasion. As they 

 moved about in groups it is impossible to imagine a more 

 delightful effect than the rich scarlet bunches of flowers pre- 

 sented upon their fine glossy jet-black hair. 



The tree yields seed in abundance, whence young plants are 

 easily raised. 



Bauhinia. 



MOUNTAIN-EBONY. 



A rather extensive genus of shrubs and trees, several natives 

 of this country, and all remarkable for the peculiar form of 

 their leaves, which are composed of two oval leaflets, laid side 

 by side, and having their edges near the base united. In conse- 

 quence of this twin-like union the genus has been fancifully 

 named after the two brothers Bauhin. Some few of the species 

 are very ornamental, and well deserve a place in the garden. 

 They all bear seed, from which they are easily propagated. 



1. B. Richardiana. A small tree, about ten feet in height, very 

 ornamental when in blossom in April, with its numerous large 

 flowers, having four of their petals white speckled with red, and 

 the other petal the lower one crimson, with a few stripes of 

 white, and altogether resembling those of a handsome Geranium. 



2. B. aurantiaca. A small tree ; bears in April tawny, orange- 

 coloured flowers ; of but little merit. 



3. B. acuminata. A small tree, about ten feet high, very hand- 

 some from being nearly always in blossom with its numerous 

 large pure white flowers. Dr. Koxburgh quaintly remarks, " It 

 is a very specious plant, well deserving a place in the gardens 

 of the curious." 



4. B. tomentosa. A small tree, about eight or ten feet high ; 

 all the tender parts, except the upper surface of the leaves, 

 covered with a soft down ; almost constantly in blossom with 

 beautiful, large, pale, sulphur-coloured, drooping flowers. 



5. B. retusa. A considerable tree ; blossoms in September 

 with corymbs of numerous small pale yellow flowers, beautifully 

 marked with numerous small purple spots. 



