MYSORE AND COOEG, 27 



Judp^ing from the above, and other accounts, it is 

 clear that this pretty wood is highly valued in the 

 West Indies for articles of furniturej flooring, 

 panelling and fancy work. The species has grown 

 well at Bangalore and appears to be quite hardy. 



Cultivation. — Local trees have not seeded, al- 

 though they have flowered. Cuttings take root 

 freely. Plant in fairly good soil at a distance of 20 

 feet apart. 



56Thespesia populnea, Goub. Kan. Asha, HurvasM, 



Huvarasi, Kandasolal 



Fig. — Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh CoUedion. Wight 

 Ic. t. 8 ; Bedd. FL Sylv. t. 63. 



References.— Dtotz/ TJ. PI. ; Pharm. Ind. 



The Portia tree. Although naturally clinging to 

 the sea-shores of India and Ceylon, this attractive 

 evergreen tree is abundantly planted in Mysore. It 

 does not,- however, attain its normal size and beauty 

 so far inland. But the large, cordate, shining 

 leaves, intermixed at short intervals by solitary 

 yellow flowers of a splendid size, make the species 

 always very attractive. On the latter account it is 

 much planted as an avenue tree. "When raised from 

 seed the timber is free of knots, straight, even- 

 grained and tough, properties which adapt it for 

 carriage -building and similar works requiring light- 

 ness and pliability. But raised from cuttings the 

 tree becomes a gnarled deformity. The bark, fruit, 

 and heartwood all possess medicinal properties. 



Cultivation.— Propagate from seeds only, although 

 cuttings of all sizes are easily rooted. The seedling 

 nearly always becomes a fine tree, especially in the 

 low country near the sea. For road avenues, plant 

 •in large pits at 36 to 40 feet apart, the seedlings 

 being at least a foot high when so planted. 



