A detailed wood anatomical survey of 42 species of Meliaceae from India has been made with a view to study the distribution pattern of different types and location of crystals. Interestingly, all the IAWA features of prismatic crystals were found in this family. The confusion regarding presence of crystals in fibres or axial parenchyma strands is clarified.

An accurate deseription of the wood structure of Thottea siliquosa is presented for the first time. Earlier deseriptions for this species were based on ineorreetly identified sampies. Wood is diffuse-porous with distinet growth rings. Vessels are small , solitary, in radial multiples and also in clusters, forming a distinet radial pattern. Perforations are simple, intervessel pits small, alternate without vestures. Vaseular traehe ids are present. Axial parenehyma is diffuse and diffuse-in-aggregates. Rays are very high and broad, heterogeneous. Fibres thick-walled and non-septate. Oil eells are absent.