Trees. 1 7 



have a tendency to pollute the water, an example of 

 which can be seen in June when the small canal which 

 supplies Alexandria with water is turned yellow by 

 the immense quantities of Lebbeck blossoms which 

 fall into it from the overhanging trees. 



Many of the exotic Acacias such as A. Senegal, 

 A. Adamsoni, A. dealbata^ A. abyssinica, A. longifolia, 

 and A. decipiens are also grown in the more modern 

 gardens of Alexandria and Cairo. 



Albezzia Lebbeck. A native of India and Ceylon. 

 In Egypt it is the principal avenue tree. The foliage 

 is deciduous, but the leaves remain on the tree for a 

 long time if in a sheltered position. The new foliage 

 appears in May, and the tassel-like flowers, known as 

 "Dakn el Pasha," follow shortly after. The Lebbeck 

 also flowers a second time in August. Its wood is 

 much valued in the country for boat-building, water- 

 wheels, &c., and large branches, or pieces of the 

 trunk planted in winter or in the early spring, will 

 the same year make nice trees. It can also be raised 

 from seed, which germinates freely. 



A. procera. A tree similar to the above, though 

 suitable for this climate, and growing freely from seed 

 in Alexandria, is almost unknown. Its wood is even 

 grained and durable, and is used for rice-pounders, 

 sugar-cane-crushers, and agricultural implements. It 

 would, if extensively planted, prove a valuable timber 

 tree to the country. 



Aliantus glandulosa. A native of China, it has been 

 introduced extensively into Algeria and Western 

 Europe for feeding the silkworm. It is a rapid- 

 growing deciduous tree, with large pinnate leaves, and 

 the seeds hang in clusters after the leaves Ijave fallen. 

 The tree thrives in almost any soil, and propagates 

 readily from seed. 



Adansonia digitata the Baobab Tree. Native 

 of Western Africa, where it grows to an immense 

 size- one specimen is mentioned as having a stem 



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