44 RECENT FOREIGTSr EXPLORATIONS. 



valuable varieties are found, among which is mahogany. Except the 

 teak forests of Upper Burma, now under complete Government con- 

 trol, these are the most valuable timber lands in eastern Asia, and if 

 cutting is properly regulated they will remain a source of profit for 

 many years. At present the only method of obtaining this wood is to 

 cut and hew it into square timbers, which are then dragged down the 

 mountains by oxen. By this method fully one-third is wasted and 

 many valuable young trees are destroyed. 



O 



