170 XXXI. LEGUMINOS.®. [Prosopis. 



■where tlie tree forms extensive forests, pure, or mixed with Capparis aphylla, 

 Salvadora, and a few species of Acacia. In the Panjab, these forests are on the 

 high land (Bar) between the main rivers. In Eajputana, they are Ktewise on 

 high ground, (Bhartpux, Kishengurh, Mey war). But in Sindh, with less moisture, 

 and a normal annual rainfall of less than 10 inches, they generally are found at 

 no great distance from the river. Prosopis, however, in Sindh, thrives on 

 ground more dry than the Tamarisk, the Poplar, and Acacia arahica, the 

 pure Prosopis forests being generally beyond the range of actual inundation. 

 Ascends to 1500 ft. on the nills Trans- Indus, and in the Salt range. Also in 

 Guzerat, Bandelihand, the Dekkan, and in the dry region of the Peninsula as 

 far south as Tuticorin. Outside India in Beluchistan, Persia, Mascat. I have 

 never found it where the annual rainfall exceeds 40 inches, and it seems to 

 thrive best where the rainfall is less than 30 inches. In Meywar, Prosopis is 

 common north of the Bunass river, and is there universally called Khejri. It is 

 often associated with Acacia leucophlcea {Arinj). South of the Bunass, Prosopis 

 is scarce, but retains its name as far as Pertabgaih, where it is called Sangri. 

 A. leucophlcea continues to be common south of the Bunass, and is there called 

 Khejra. 



The tree is leafless for a short time ; the young foliage comes out early in 

 March ; fl. in Feb. (G-uzerat), in March, April (Sindh), in April, May (Pstnjab). 

 The fruit ripens from May-Aug. Easily raised from seed ; young trees do not 

 suffer from frost ; throws out vigorous coppice-shoots. Growth probably slow, 

 3 ft. girth in 30 years (Saharanpur gardens), 4-5 indistinct annual rings per in. 



Attains 30-40 ft., TOth a short erect trunk, generally under 6 ft. girth, attain- 

 ing 10-12 ft. girth and 60 ft. height in Sindi. For dimensions of exceptionally 

 large trees, see Panjab Plants, p. 74. Branchlets drooping, foliage light. The 

 base of the stem is often surrounded by a mass of stiff, thorny, entangled bran- 

 ches and suckers. There is a cupressiform variety, with ascending branches 

 and a narrow crown. Bark # in. thick, dark grey, or light brownish grey, 

 rough, with deep longitudinal furrows and horizontal cracks. Adult foliage 

 grey, round galls common on leaflets, and woody excrescences on branches and 

 branchlets. 



Wood light, yellowish brown, with irregidar masses of dark-brown or black 

 heartwood in the centre of old trees. Marked wavy concentric lines. Coaxse- 

 but even-grained. Weight in the Panjab and SindJa between 49 and 58.5 lb. 

 per cub. ft. when seasoned, 82 when green (DalzeU, Fenner, and Stewart). 

 Skinner gives 72 lb. for seasoned and 95-100 lb. for green wood, with 981 for 

 the value of P. ; but the identification of the wood experimented upon seems 

 open to doubt. Easy to work, tough, but not durable, liable to dry-rot, and 

 readily eaten by insects. Used for building, for carts, and agricultural imple- 

 ments ; is a favourite wood for weU-curbs in parts of the Panjab ; ordinary 

 furniture is made from it in Sindh. A good fuel for steamers and locomotives, 

 its heating power being near that of Babool, and much higher than that of the 

 Tamarisk. Experiments made at Karachi in May 1869 gave the following 

 results : — 



/ were consumed in evaporating 



f Prosopis spicigera, 1374 lb. j 11.8 cub. ft. of water per hour 



Of the wood of ■; .4 cacm arasSicix, 1388 „ -/ during 7 hours, the pressure of 



\Tam,arioc gallica, 1627 „ j steam being kept at 27 lb. on 



V the square inch. 

 Nevertheless, Tamarisk-wood is often preferred in the Indus steamers, pro- 

 bably because the pieces have a more convenient shape, and are easier handled. 



A mild gum, not used, exudes from wounds in the bark. The pod (Sangri, 

 sankar, Pb.), is much used as fodder for camels, cattle, and goats ; the mealy, 

 sweetish substance which surrounds the seeds is an article of food in parts of 



