24 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [January, 1915. 
produce new ones earlier than the normal portions of the 
tree 
In all the cases discussed above it is not known what part 
the internal factors, especially factors connected with nutrition, 
play in bringing about the leaf-fall and production of new 
leaves. J. B. Farmer says!: ‘‘ Although various functions 
is unquestionably that of physiological water starvation, 
whether this starvation results from physical starvation or 
physiological inability to absorb.’’ 
In the tropical monsoon forest, the dry season is passed in 
a leafless condition The Madras region, though still influ- 
its leaves in February or March or even later, began shedding 
its leaves totally during December 1914. 
There is yet another kind of defoliation seen in Madras. 
That is among the trees near the seashore. During the 
north-east monsoon season there blows a constant chilly wind 
The trees on the northern side are quite bare, while the 
gain, some trees would appear to stand the action of the 
sea-breeze better than others. The following trees are very 
easily affected by the sea-breeze :-— 
Poinciana regia, Enterolobium Saman, Sapindus trifoliatus, 
! Plant-life. Home. Univ. Libr., p. 136. 
