THE WHISTLING TREE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 87, 1 July 1881, Page 4

THE WHISTLING TREE.

In Nubia and the Soudon groves ' of a species of acacia are described as existing, whose scientific appellation, as well as their popular name, is derived from a peculiar sound emitted by the branches when swayed by the wind. The Arabic name is " soffar," or pipe ; and the specific name fistula also meaning a pipe, has been given to it for the same reason which prompted to give it its local d signation. The tree is infested with insects whose o£gs are deposited in the young shoots and extremities of the branches. A sort of gall like excresence about an inch in diameter is produced at the bases of these shoots, and when the larva has emerged from thi9 nidus,it leaves a small circular hole, the action of the wind in which causes it to pro duce a whistling sound like that pro* duced by a flute or by blowing into a hollow pipe. When the wind is violent, the noise caused by thousands of these natural flutes in a grove of aouscias is most reraavkable. The description given by Dr. Schweinfurth of those " Bladder likegalls" leaves it uncertain whether they are true gall nuts or whether they are the secrbtion of a species of lac insect which thrives on two or more species of acacia, while one variety (the Arabica) also produces a kind of po4 gull-nut, which is ugfful for tanning. In either caße, these natural " whistles.'' of the rwhisfcliDg tree would form a valuable article of commerce if they could be easily and regularly collected and exported. — The Cokmits and India.