he
young lively green foliage." It is remarkable also for its curious
cylindrical black seed-pods about two feet long, which are called
monkeys' walking-sticks.

526 "The Jonesia Asoca is a tree of considerable size, native of
southern India. It blossoms in February and March with large erect
compact clusters of flowers, varying in colour from pale-orange to
scarlet, almost to be mistaken, on a hasty glance, for immense
trusses of bloom of an Ixora. Mr. Fortune considered this tree, when
in full bloom, superior in beauty even to the Amherstia.

The first time I saw the Asoc in flower was on the hill where the
famous rock-cut temple of Karli is situated, and a large concourse
of natives had assembled for the celebration of some Hindoo
festival. Before proceeding to the temple the Mahratta women
gathered from two trees, which were flowering somewhat below, each a
fine truss of blossom, and inserted it in the hair at the back of
her head.{~HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS~} As they moved about in groups it is impossible to imagine
a more delightful effect than the rich scarlet bunches of flowers
presented on their fine glossy jet-black hair." FIRMINGER,
_Gardening for India_.

527 No other word can express the movements of peafowl under the
influence of pleasing excitement, especially when after the long
drought they hear the welcome roar of the thunder and feel that the
rain is near.

528 The Dewy Season is one of the six ancient seasons of the Indian
year, lasting from the middle of January to the middle of March.

529 Rama appears to mean that on a former occasion a crow flying high
overhead was an omen that indicated his approaching separation from
Sita; and that now the same bird's perching on a tree near him may
be regarded as a happy augury that she will soon be restored to her
husband.

530 A tree with beautiful and fragrant blossoms.

531 A race of semi-divine musicians attached to the service of Kuvera,
represented as centaurs reversed with human figures and horses'
heads.

532 Butea Frondosa. A tree that bears a profusion of brilliant red
flowers which appear before the leaves.

533 I omit five _slokas_ which contain nothing but a list of trees for
which, with one or two exceptions, there are no equivalent names in