VARIATION IN INDIGOFERA SUMATRANA, GAERTN. 



49 



prominently the general contrast between these two types. During the 

 later stages of the work it became possible to differentiate two further 

 types, figs. 6 and 12. These, though easily recognised when cultivated 

 alone, are somewhat difficult to identify in a mixed crop, since they do 

 not owe their individuality so much to the possession of characteristic 

 features of their own as to the extent to which the characters of the two 

 main types receive emphasis in them. 



In the first of the two main types (fig. 11) the plant when fully 

 developed is barely three leet in height. When cultivated in Behar this 

 variety is in full flower by the end of June, and it is possible to find pods 



Fig. 6. — Sukkuk Plant. 



containing ripe seeds early in July.* The most noteworthy feature, how- 

 ever, is that the leaves tend to take on a distichous, the simplest form of 

 alternate, arrangement (J). This apparent arrangement is further im- 

 pressed upon the primary and, to a large extent also, the secondary 



* It may possibly be noticed, during the course of this communication, that 

 emphasis is laid upon the date of flowering. This point becomes of considerable 

 economic importance in the case of a plant which is required for its yield of leaf. 

 In Behar indigo is sown during the last few days of February and early March. The 

 exact date for the commencement of cutting depends to a great extent on the date of 

 the break of the rains ; but a commencement is usually made during the latter half of 

 June. Plant is, however, still being cut for the first time in early August, so that, other 

 considerations being equal, flowering should not commence much before that date. 



E 



