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sandstone formations, where conglomerates and shales are intermixed, 
the rate of growth may be more rapid, and equal to that on the trap 
formation. 
That volume growth, though comparatively slow on sandstone, con- 
tinues for a very long period, is evidenced by the size of the old mature 
trees to be found in the Punasa Reserve. A girth of 8 feet is not uncom- 
mon, and trees up to 12 feet in girth are occasionally found. 
(c) Duration of Life. 
(i) General. — Judging from the size of some of the largest trees m 
the Punasa Reserve, the Anjan must be a very long-lived tree. 
Taking the average rate of growth on sandstone to be 13 rings per 
inch of radius, a tree of 9 feet in girth, after allowing, say, 2 inches for the 
thickness of the bark, will represent an age of not less than 200 years. 
{ii) Unsoundness of old frees. — Trees of this age appear quite healthy 
as regards their outward appearance, but a very large proportion prove 
to be unsound when felled. 
Other observers have foimd this to be the case. Mr. E. M. Crowther, 
writing of the Anjan in the Kurnool District, Madras, says : “ A peculiar 
feature is that very few trees of 6 feet girth are sound.” Old Ranger, 
in some notes on Anjan in the Buldana Division, Berar, wn-ites : “An 
enormous percentage of the stock in these Anjan forests is composed 
of old gnarled trees, inva/riahly unsound.” The former ascribes this nn- 
soundness to fires and dry hot seasons causing cup and heart shakes, and 
the latter to generations of lopping. We ourselves are more inclined to 
think that the “ dying back ” process, during the early stages of exist- 
ence, creates a centre of infection, which becomes the seat of a fungoid 
disease, that asserts itself as the vitality of the tree diminishes through 
age. 
Probably the Anjan tree reaches maturity and is at its best at an agt, 
of 100 years on the best soils, and at an age of 60 years on poor shallow 
soils 
(5) Coppice and Pollaed Growth. 
(o) Coppice Growth. 
Opinions difier as to the coppicing power of Anjan. Mr. E. M, 
Crowther whites : — 
“ Hardwickia stumps throw up a number of shoots from about 
s an inch below the cut surface of the stump ; these shoots 
