MYSORE AND OOORG. 



55 



esteem for its medicinal properties, in which the 

 root, bark, leaves and fruit, all contribute a part. 

 The pulp of the fruit is of special value in the 

 treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea, while the 

 hardened shell (rind) is locally made into snuff- 

 boxes. The tender fruit is pickled with Nimhe. 



Wood strongly scented when felled, yellowish- 

 white, hard, and durable. Weight about 50 lb. per 

 cubic foot. Being a sacred tree, it is seldom 

 felled, although Lovery states that the wood is 

 used in Shimoga for carts and agricultural 

 implements. Its propagation is considered meri- 

 torious, and the leaves of the tree are generally 

 presented at the shrine of Siva. 



Cultivation.— As recommended for the wood- 

 apple tree, but requiring richer soil. 



XVII. SIMARUBE^. 



123 Ailantus excelsa, Roxb. Kan. Dodda mara. 

 Fig.—WigU III. t. 67. 



References,— Brand. For. Fl. p. 58; Diet, of 

 Econ. Prod, of Ind. 

 There are several specimens of this fine tree at 

 Olosepet, where it flowers and fruits annually. 

 Deciduous in ' January or February. Leaves ab- 

 ruptly pinnate, 2 — 3 feet in length ; the glandular- 

 hairy leaflets are coarsely toothed. 



Flowers in axillary panicles on longish pedicels, 

 pale yellow. 



Samara (fruit) 2^ in., one-seeded,, often twisted at 

 the base and blunt or pointed at the apex. Copper- 

 coloured when attainiiig maturity. A fine tree for 

 OrMmental effect, 



