146 FOREST TRIES. 



leaves assume a reddish autumnal tint, and subse- 

 quently fall when the rains subside. 



Sapwood abundaiit, white ; heartwood reddish 

 brown to dull red, dark in old trees, even-grained* 

 and beautifully mottled. Weight 43—60 lb. per cubic 

 foot. It is a durable and pretty wood, but except for 

 wooden vessels and agricultural implements, it is 

 seldom used in Mysore. It was formerly used for 

 the drums of sepoy corps. In addition to its well 

 known astringent properties, the bark affords a very 

 strong fibre, which, with other uses, is employed as 

 a slow match to ignite gunpowder, and in the pre- 

 paration of fusees for native matchlocks. 



Medicinal properties are attributed to the fruit 

 and the calyces of the flowers. In size and form, the 

 fruit is not unlike an English apple. 



Cultivation.— Each fruit contains 10 — 18 seeds 

 which, if removed from their fleshy covering, and 

 sown in pans, will germinate readily. 

 297 Couroupita guianensis, Aubl. 



The cannon-ball tree. So called from the spherical 

 shape of the fruit. This interesting tree grows well 

 in the Lal-Bagh, where it sheds its leaves during 

 the cold season. The large flowers are borne on the 

 matured wood and are mostly red and orange in 

 colour. The species has been introduced from St 

 Vincent. 



XXXIII. MELASTOMACE^ 



298 Memecylon edule Roxb. K„n. udatalii, Limbtoli. 

 a ig--hot. Plates LaUBagli Collection. Wight III 



References.-Flora of Brit. Ind.; Diet. ofEcon. 

 Prod, of Ind. 



An evergreen shrub or small tree of very variable 

 character, there bemg no less than twelve varieties 



