30 rOEE>;T TEKEn'. 



Cultivation. — Seeds germinate to. tlie extent of 

 20 %, but as they are greedily eaten by squirrels 

 and other field vermin, precautions are necessary to 

 preserve and collect them. In nature the tree 

 throws up a great many root suckers, some of 

 which replace the original stem. Plant seedlings in 

 large pits at 50 feet apart. The soil should be deep 

 and porous. 

 61 Eriodendron anfractuosum, D.O. Kan. Bill 



burga, Biu-ga, Bili barhi. 



Pig. — Bot. Flates Lal-Buqh GoUection. Wight 



Ic. t. 400. 

 References. — Diet, of Econ. ProrJ. oflnd. ; Off. 

 guide B. G. Keir. ; Dnmj U. PL " 

 The Kapok tree of Java. Also the white- 

 flowered silk cotton tree of the West Indies, tropical 

 America, Africa, and other countries. It is plenti- 

 ful in Java, from whence Kapok is exported to 

 Europe and Australia. In this country it is sparse- 

 ly found in cultivation about temples, or in woods 

 near towns and habitations. It is rarely found in 

 the primeval forests of India. A much smaller 

 tree than Pomhax mulalaricuin, although the trunk 

 bears some resemblance to the latter in being tall, 

 muricated, and, in large specimens, buttressed. But 

 it is not such a wide-spreading tree, and the creamy- 

 white flowers, less than half the size of the flowers of 

 Bomhax malabaricum, at once determine the species. 

 The floss, or silky hairs borne on the seed, is the 

 true Kapok of commerce, which is extensively used 

 for stuffing mattresses and pillows, and estimated to 

 be as good for the purpose as feathers. Similar but 

 inferior products (silk cotton) are afforded in Mysore 

 by the following species : — 



Bomhax Malabaricum. 



Cochlospernum gossypiiim. 



Calotropis gigantea. 



Cryptosteda grandiflora, 



Hoya viriaiflora. 



