Dipterocarpus. polyandria monocynia. 013 



round the base of the germ. Anthers cnsilorjii, cuch end- 

 ing in a long, tapering acute i)oint approaching, to the 

 habit of Vateria Shorea and Hopea. Genu superior, 

 ovate, three-celled, with the ovula in each cell attached to 

 the upper end of the axis. Sfyle erect, as long as the sta- 

 mens. Stigma three-toothed. Capsule ovate, pointed, one- 

 celled, one-valved of a tender consistence, covered with 

 a little short, soft hairy down, enveloped in the enlarged 

 base of the even calyx, the two larger divisions of its bor- 

 der become two, very large, linear, oblong, scarious wings, 

 beautifully reticulated with veins and nerves. Seed soli- 

 tary, of the shape of the capsule, the radicle issues from its 

 apex leaving the two large cotyledons in the ground. 



This tree is famous all over the eastern parts of India 

 and the Malay Islands, on account of its yielding a thin 

 liquid balsam, commonly called wood oil, which is much 

 used for painting ships, houses, &c. 



To procure the balsam, a large notch is cut into the 

 trunk of the tree, near the earth (say about thirty inches 

 from the ground,) where a fire is kept up until the wound 

 is charred, soon after which the liquid begins to oose 

 out. A small gutter is cut in the wood to conduct the 

 liquid into a vessel placed to receive it. The average 

 produce of the best trees during the season, is said to be 

 sometimes forty gallons. It is found necessary, every 

 three or four weeks, to cut off the old charred surfaces, 

 and burn it afresh ; in large healthy trees abounding in 

 balsam, they even cut a second notcli in some other part 

 of the tree, and char it as the first. These operations are 

 performed during the months of November, December, 

 January and February. Should any of the trees appear 

 sickly the following season, one or more years respite 

 is given them. 



2. D. costatus. Gcert. Sent. 3. 50. 1 187. 



Tender parts hairy. Leaves linear, oblong; fease round- 



