128 FORisT Tntt^. 



Beddome says this is a common tree of the west- 

 ern forests of the Madras Presidency up to 4,000 

 feet. It no doubt extends into Mysore also, although 

 it has not found a place in the lists prepared by local 

 forest officers. A large soft-wooded tree. De- 

 ciduous or subdeciduous for a short season. P. sub- 

 coriaeeum, Thwaites, may also be found oa the 

 western hills of the province. 

 260 Pithecolobium Saman, Mart. 



Fig.— Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection. 



The rain tree. Introduced from South America and 

 grown experimentally at various centres. Of large 

 trees it is one of the quickest growth, the dimensioas| 

 attained in the course of 6 — 8 years being truly 

 marvellous. The species was first introduced to 

 Bangalore in 18J'8, and during the past two or three 

 years many thousands of seedHngs have been raised 

 and distributed from the original trees. But the 

 wood is soft and fibrous as nearly always happens in 

 cases of rapid development. The real value of the 

 species will depend on the ready shelter it affords to 

 more delicate plants at an early stage of growth, on 

 its capacity to act as a nurse and on the nutritioiffi 

 value of its leaves and fruit as a food for cattle ; of 

 the latter utility there is no question, as both the 

 leaves and fruit are greedily consumed by horses 

 and other live- stock. The following analysis by Mf. 

 Hooper of Ootacamund, shews clearly how rich the 

 pods are in food material : — 



Water ... .... 



Albuminoids 



Sugar & Carbohydrates 



Fat 



Fibre 



Ash 



Dried pods of 

 Pithecolobiuiu Saman, 



11-7 



66-9 



3-7 



13-3 



4-4 



100-0 



