mysobs am> ooofi&. 123 



These, as also tlie Australian "black wattle, " Acacia 

 decurrens, Willd, could, if necessary, be cultivated on 

 the Baba Budan liills. 

 252 Albizzia Lebbek, Benth. Kan. Bage, Bagi, Hom- 



bage, Tirchul. 



Fig.-Bedd. FL Sylv. t. 53. 



References-— JP/. of Brit. Ind. ; Diet, of Ficon, 

 Prod, of Ind. ; Drury, U. PI, 

 The Siris tree. A large species found in all parts 

 of the province, but attaining its greatest size in the 

 west of Mysore. Often planted as an avenue tree, 

 but not well adapted for the purpose as it remains 

 bare of leaf for a long season. It flowers profusely 

 in March and April and is then a striking object, the 

 prevailing colours being straw, pale yellow and 

 purplish green. Sapwood rather abundant ; heart- 

 wood reddish to dark reddish brown with darker 

 streaks. Takes a good polish and is generally con- 

 sidered a fairly durable timber ; it is not utilised to 

 any great extent, however, as in most parts of 

 Mysore it is considered unlucky to employ the wood 

 for house building and domestic purposes. But 

 Lovery says it is used in Shimoga for buildings, 

 furniture, carts and oil mills. Weight 50 — 60 lb. per 

 cubic foot. Cattle eat the green leaves of the tree 

 greedily, and it is said to be cultivated in some parts 

 to provide forage. Medicinal properties are attribut- 

 ed to the bark, leaves, and flowers ; the latter being 

 considered very cooling, are popularly applied to 

 ulcers, boils and swelhngs. 



Cultivation.— The Bage is a self -productive tree, 

 but squirrels, rats and other vermin, are so fond of 

 the seeds that few are left for natural production. 

 Under protection the seeds germinate very readily, 

 but it is doubtful if such seedlings ever attain the 

 vigorous growth of the ,self-sown ones. 



The species affects a warm moist situation as in 

 the maidan valleys lying nearest to the Malnad. 



