MYSOBlfi AND COOUG. !§§' 



Anotlier important function of the rain tree is 

 its capability to raise, and thereby improve marshy 

 land. This it does by a rapid development of large 

 surface roots which uniformly rise to a higher level 

 as the tree advances in growth. The sensitive 

 leaflets close together on the approach of darkness 

 and re-open with the rising sun, the rather sudden 

 displacement of accumulated dew caused by the 

 latter movement, occasionally amounting to a slight 

 drizzle, may have given rise to the appellation 

 'rain tree. ' Or it maybe that, occupying extensive 

 tracts of country, this tree, by its vigorous growth 

 and peculiar leaf -formation, exercises an exceptional 

 influence on the rain clouds. 



Cultivation. — Seed will germinate very freely 

 when sown in pans or in prepared nursery beds. 

 A good avenue tree, except that the upper roots 

 have a tendency to throw up the soil and raise a 

 mound. The wide-spreading limbs are also subject 

 to dama,ge from high winds. Should be planted in 

 village topes to provide fodder for cattle. 



261 Castanospermum australe, A. Cimn. 

 Fig.— ^of. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection. 



The Moreton Bay chesnut. This handsome ever- 

 green tree is cultivated in the cities of Bangalore 

 and ^Mysore ; it is also found at intervals in thq 

 cdfEee jfistricts, and in the town of Mercara. It is 

 generally known by its large orange-Drimson flow- 

 ers, produced in clusters upon the matured wood 

 behind the leaves. The road leading in to the 

 Cubbon Park from the Sampangi tank is shaded by 

 an avenue of Moreton Bay chesnuts. But the latter 

 have not grown to a large size, although they are 

 down for nearly 20 years. The boat-sha,ped fniit — 

 containing 2^^4 seeds the size of a marble — is an 

 object of a<ttraotion to children. Many seedlings are 

 aBmi^Ily ^raised for iJistributidn. 



n ' 



