IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 13 



All the reliable information procurable has been condensed into 

 a memorandum, and a large sample has been transmitted to Eng- 

 land for report as to its suitability for telegraphic and other 

 purposes.* 



24. Catechu. — The enhanced value of cutt has caused an unusual 

 destruction of the catechu tree (Acacia catechu), which was pro- 

 perly restricted by Mr J. D. Eobinson to certain places in the 

 North Canara jungles to prevent total destruction. 



25. Kino. — Two thousand trees of the kino tree (Pterocarpus 

 marsupiuni) were seen 

 along the roads through 

 the Wainad, notched, as 

 delineated in the margin, 

 for the extraction of 

 -kino, which is taken to 



the coast, where it meets 

 with a ready market, and 

 is exported in wooden 

 boxes to Bombay. As 

 the V-shaped incision ap- 

 peared to be deeper than 



required, the collector has given instructions for the more careful 

 treatment of the trees. This tree is greatly prized at Dharwar, 

 not for its exudation, but for its timber, which is extensively 

 used in the cotton-gin factory. 



26. Bamboos. — Immense quantities of fine bamboos are floated 

 down the various rivers of the western coast. It is one of the 

 riches of these provinces. They are ordinarily sixty feet long, and 

 five inches in diameter near the root. These are readily pur- 

 chased standing at 5 rupees, and small ones at 3J rupees, per 

 1000. Millions are annually cut in the forests, and taken away 

 by water in rafts, or by land in hackeries. From their great 

 buoyancy, they are much used for floating heavier woods, as 

 matti (Terrninalia tomentosa) and biti (Dalbergia latifolid) ; and 

 piles of them are lashed to the sides of the pattimars going to 

 Bombay. The larger ones are selected as out-riggers for ferry- 



* The report is not very favourable ; the tree is Bassia elliptica, Dalzell ; 

 " KewMisc." vol. iii. p.3(i; and Isonandra Culleniiof Drury's "Useful Plants." 



