1865.] The Vegetation of the Islands of the Indus River. 5d 
whilst stacked, its collection for the supply of the steamers is 
prohibited, 
For the reasons given against its being stored for fuel, its timber 
is likewise not used by the natives for any purpose whatever, when 
other can be obtained. 
The fruit, however, called in Scindee “Singhar,” is considered an 
excellent vegetable, and is largely eaten by the natives in their thur- 
karies, 
Populus Euphratica, ‘ Bahn’ (Scindee and Punjabee,) grows in great 
abundance on the Balaas, but more especially about a hundred miles 
above Kotree. It is a rapidly growing tree, producing very fair 
timber, with a white light wood, very useful for furniture and house- 
hold-work of a light nature, but which does not stand much strain. 
It is a very dangerous article as fuel in steamers, or when used for 
the railway, as the wood, owing to its lightness, flies up through the 
flue when only half burnt. The officers commanding the steamers 
are very careful that none is ever taken on board, even by mistake, 
from the danger attendant on its use. 
The timber for furniture costs about 5 annas a cubic foot. 
Tamaria Indica, ‘ Laee’ (Scindee,) ‘ Shao’ (Hind.) ‘ Furash’ (Pun- 
jabee). 
This may be considered as the chief source of firewood from 
Mooltan to Kotree. It grows in immense quantities, but above 
the union of the five rivers with the Indus, it becomes gradually 
replaced on the Balaa land by the Z. dioica and it becomes more 
abundant on the mainland, where we find the 7. orientalis also 
occurring, but as a very much larger tree. These were all in 
blossom in September, presenting a very heath-like appearance just 
before the flowers expanded. The ZY. Indica like all its congeners, 
grows very rapidly, producing in three or four years a deep red 
wood, very much like the Beef wood of Australia. At this age 
it is best for fuel: the white and young wood makes but poor fuel, and 
is also rapidly destroyed by the white ant; whereas the red wood 
may lie for nearly four years without injury; but as it becomes 
completely dried and aged, it becomes more liable to the attacks of 
these insects. The cost of this wood at the river stations is 
15 Rupees for 100 maunds. 
