2 BED SANDERS (Pterocarpus santalinus). 



Monsoon, the temperature again falls to an average of about 90, 

 gradually falling to 70 during the latter part of December and 

 the beginning of January. The rainfall during October, November 

 and December varies from 20 to 30 inches. January and February 

 are usually dry and cool. The minimum temperatures are from 

 15 to 25 degrees lower than the maxima noted above. 



3. Geology and Soil. 



The Red Sanders forests under discussion are found growing 

 above rocks of the Kurnool and Cuddapah formations (Palaeozoic) 

 consisting of quartzites, slates and limestones. The rocks of 

 these two formations are true sedimentary rocks and show all 

 the characters of such in a very clear manner; but they have 

 been altered or metamorphosed to some extent, in such a way that 

 the original sandstones and conglomerates are now hardened and 

 vitrified as quartzites. The shales and clays have been turned into 

 clay slates, and in some cases porcelainized, and the limestones 

 have been rendered more or less crystalline. This is the general 

 character of the rocks, but it is often found that they are all 

 weathered back again into their originally more sedimentary ap- 

 pearance. The ordinarily compact, flinty, homogeneous quartzites 

 turn out after weathering to be the coarsest sandstones or the roughest 

 conglomerates. The limestones become earthy and clayey, and the 

 porcelainous beds are again ordinary soft pipe clay-looking shales. 

 The soil formed by the disintegration of the above-named rocks is 

 poor, well-drained and very stony. 



4. Past History. 



In former days, the wood of the Red Sanders tree was chiefly 

 valued for its red colouring principle " Santaliu," which is soluble 

 m alcohol and ether but not in water. It was very extensively 

 used as a dye, and large quantities of " Red Wood " were 

 exported to Europe for this purpose. The shipments continued 

 until comparatively recent times, when this natural dye was entirely 

 superseded by the introduction of artificial substitutes. The earli- 

 est account of this trade was brought to light by the editor of 

 Nature (Calcutta), who published an interesting article in the issue 

 of May 4, 1911, of which the following are extracts : 



" During the preparation for the press in 1895, of the ' Diary 

 and Consultation book of Agent, Governor and Council of Fort St. 

 George,' for 1682-85, Mr. A. T. Pringle, the Editor, enquired if 



