Part III.] R. S. Hole: Useful Exotics in Indian Forests. £3 
Mexico and Texas, and frequently planted.” As regards N. America 
the tree is described as (C one of the characteristic trees of the lower 
Sonoran zone, an area where the conditions as to rainfall and 
climate range from arid to semi-arid—that is, the rainfall varies from 
less than 10 to about 25 inchgfc per annum/’—( U. S. Dept. Agric. 
Bull. 16 by J. G. Smith, 1899, p. 18.) It is found in the United 
States in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California. 
The tree is common in Jamaica where it is known as Cash aw and is 
described as “ an admirable tree (often attaining a height of 40 to 
60 feet) to grow in dry gravelly soil, and in situations where rain 
does not fall for months together.”—( Indian Forester , Vol. X, p. 293.) 
A form of this variable species was introduced from Mexico into the 
Philippines, where it is now said to be “ abundant along the sea-shore 
forming dense thickets immediately back of the beach. (Philippine 
Journal of Science, Vol. 1, p. 62.) This form has been given the name of 
P. Vidaliana , Naves, it being noted that “ while it is undoubtedly 
allied to Prosopis juliflora, and may possibly be interpreted as an extreme 
form of that variable species, it is considered best to retain it as a 
distinct species for the present.”—( Philippine Journal of Science , Vol. 
V, p. 32, 1910.) 
The first consignment of seed of this species appears to have been 
sent to India through Kew and the India Office in 1877, under the 
name of Mesquit Bean and the seed was said to be obtainable from the 
Consuls in San Francisco and Galveston or a any town in the Gulf of 
California.” Consi derable uncertainty appears to have prevailed as to 
the identification of the species sent which was at first said to be P. 
pubescens and then probably P. glandulosaP In 1878 two further 
supplies were received which were “ supposed to be glandulosa ” (see 
Indian Forester , Vol. V, pp. 329—332). 
Both P. pubescens, Benth, and P. juliflora, DC., are apparently known 
by the name of Mesquit Bean and both occur in Texas, New Mexico, 
Arizona, North Mexico, and California. It appears doubtful whether 
any trees of the true P. pubescens are now in cultivation in India. It is 
said to have been tried in the Saharanpur garden in 1878-79 where 
" it proved a complete failure. The seedlings were very susceptible to 
damp, and died off while still in a young seedling stage during the first 
rainy season.”— (Dept* Land Records and Agric. 27. Ps. Bull . 21 , 
1906, p. 32.) 
[ 147 ] 
History in 
India. 
