124 



Scientific Intelligence. 



[NO. 1, NEW SERIES, 



Portia (Thespesia populnea). — Suffered most of all the avenue 

 trees, and it was particularly noted that trees grown from cuttings 

 were more extensively damaged than seedlings. 



Banian (Ficus Indica). — When allowed to strengthen its posi- 

 tion by its natural supports, this tree does not suffer, but when the 

 props are cut away, as is customary by the roadside, it is very 

 liable to be uprooted. Two were blown down on the Mount Road 

 and falling against the new iron railing of the Cathedral, caused 

 considerable damage. 



Adansonia digitata — The Baobab, with its enormous trunk and 

 stout branches suffered little injury generally. One handsome tree 

 in the gardens gave way at the root, and remained in a slanting 

 position like the leaning tower of Pisa. The trunk subsequently 

 broke transversely about the middle. 



The Palms with their unbranched stems, and Casuarinas with 

 their acicular foliage yielded to the gale and suffered the least. 

 The crown of Caryota urens was damaged. 



The Plantain from the broad expanse of its delicate foliage 

 always suffers on these occasions, the cellular stem snaps across, 

 and the leaves being torn as it were into narrow ribbons, dangle 

 from the midrib and then fall off. 



The Betel vine plantations in many places were greatly damaged 

 and trellices laden with the Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes anguina, ) 

 and other Cucurbitaceous fruits were levelled, causing much loss fc 

 to the Market Gardeners. 



Trees with soft or brittle wood as Agati grandifiora, Bignonia 

 suherosa, Moringa pterygosperma, Visenia umbellata, Carica Papaya 

 Sfe., were either entirely prostrate, or had their branches strewed 

 about in almost every compound. 



I am not aware that any one except Dr. Wallich in the Journal 

 of the Agri-Hort. Society of India (vol. I, p. 3) and Dr. Buist (Trans, 

 of the Bombay Geogl. Soc. vol. XII, p. 58) has recorded his obser- 

 vations or paid much attention to this subject, and it seems to me a 

 matter of no small importance in connection with planting of trees 

 along the public roads. 



