1864.] On the Vegetation of the Jlielum District. £9? 



Salicc Babylonica y frequently met with near bunees, tanks, and damp 

 localities.. 



Mens religiosa, * Pipul," and F. Indica, " Bore, Burgot," Banyan 

 tree. Fine specimens of these are found throughout the district. It 

 is a matter of opinion as to whether their origin here be due to natural 

 causes or to their having been introduced. If the former, they must 

 be upon the confines of their northern limits, 



2nd. — Trees native to the district. 



OratcBva religiosa, " Burna." This seems to have been at one time 

 a common tree in this tract, more especially upon the alluvial soil near. 

 the river, where there are still a number of very large trees which give 

 a splendid shade and form large timber. The fruit is used to mix 

 with mortar for making a strong cement. 



Tamarix Indica, Gallica, L. " Furas." In this tract the only trees 

 we have of this, have been planted, but in some other tracts we 

 find it is prolific. It produces a miserably poor brittle wood, used 

 chiefly for the fire. This tree resembles a fir and indeed by most 

 people it is generally mistaken for such. 



Acacia Arabica, " Kekur, Babool." Of this we have two varieties, 

 viz. : A. A. var. spina, albida, and A. A. var. cypress. This latter is 

 the most elegant but the least common in this tract. They are both 

 large handsome trees yielding good shade, give excellent, useful timber, 

 and grow rapidly and well, over the whole district. Their wood is 

 used largely for ploughs, well wheels and tent pegs ; their branches for 

 feeding sheep, goats, camels and cattle in general, as also for making 

 hedges. The bark is used for tanning and making country spirits, 

 besides yielding not unfrequently a large supply of gum, " Gondii." 



Acacia modesta, Wall " Phulai." In good alluvial soil and where 

 there is drainage this becomes a fine timber tree. Otherwise, as where 

 it grows on the hills and ravines of the district, it is but a poor twisted, 

 stunted shrub, fit only for firewood, but for this purpose it is excellent * 

 camels, goats, &c. feed in Spring on its young leaves and flowers. Its 

 timber is very hard and used greatly for wheels, especially when these 

 are to be exposed to wetting. The heart wood becomes quite black 

 and is as hard as iron. 



Daibergia Sissoo, "Sheshum." Of this, which produces the most 

 valuable timber, we have but little, and what trees there are, have 

 apparently been planted during the rule of the English Government in 



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