62 



rOBEST TREES. 



presents refreshing topes about the villages. But 

 it attains its maximum utility and beauty at lower 

 elevations than Mysore and in localities nearer to 

 the sea. It is held sacred by the Hindus, and is 

 specially dedicated to Mari,_ the goddess of des- 

 truction. Medicinal properties are attributed to 

 every part of the plant ; and the heartwood is ex- 

 tensively used in the manufacture of idols. 



Owing to its bitter properties the wood is not 

 attacked by insects, and being hard, durable, and 

 beautifully mottled it answers well for cabinet work 

 and carpentry. 



Neem oil, a product of the seed, is a well- 

 known antidote for destroying borers and other in- 

 sects which usually attack living plants. Brandis 

 enumerates the economic properties of the species as 

 follows : — 



" From incisions in the trunk, near the base, made 

 in spring, issues a quantity of sap, often flowing for 

 weeks ; used as a stomachic and cooling drink. 

 A gum used as a stimulant, exudes from the bark. 

 From the fruit is extracted, by boiling or pressure, 

 a fixed acrid bitter oil, (Margosa) deep yellow, with 

 a strong disagreeable flavour. It is used medicinal- 

 ly ; in dyeing ; as an antiseptic and anthelmintic, 

 and is burnt in. lamps. It is said to be expressed 

 from the pulp and not from the seed. 



It is exported from Madras, chiefly to Ceylon. The 

 seeds are employed to kill insects, and for washing 

 the hair. 



The leaves are bitter and are used medicinally ; 

 bark is very bitter and is used as a substitute for 

 Peruvian bark." 



Possessing so many useful properties, the neem 

 is deservedly one of the best Imown and most popu- 

 lar trees of the country'. In the native treatment 

 of smaU-pox, the green leaves are invariably used to 

 place under and around the patient at certain stages 



