Gmelina. didynamia angiospermia. 85 



purposes by the natives of various countries where it grows. 

 That of such trees as >vill square into logs from eighteen to 

 twenty-four inches resembles Teak more than any other sorts 

 I have yet met M'ith. The colour is almost exactly the same, 

 the grain rather closer, at the same time it is liilly as light, if 

 not lighter, and as easily worked. 



Some years ago I received from Mr. M'Cleish, a Timber 

 Merchant, then residing at Patna, but since dead, a large 

 square log, of M'hat I conceive to be this wood, which mea- 

 sured nearly thirty feet in length, and at the thickest end 

 was full twenty-four inches square. 



This piece afforded ample supplies for various experi- 

 ments. One of them, and the most interesting, was made by 

 placing part of an outside plank in the river, a little above 

 low water mark, exactly where the worm is thought to ex- 

 ert its greatest powers. After remaining three years in this 

 situation, though examined from time to time, the piece was 

 cut, nith the view of carrying a specimen of it to England, 

 and to my great joy, I found it as sound and every way as per- 

 fect throughout, as it was when first put into the river. 



Araon"st other things, a valuable flood door was made of 

 it, to keep the tides out of the Botanic garden. Jt is now 

 seven years and a haif since the door (which is four feet 

 square) was made, and though much exposed to the sun 

 and M'ater, yet it remains good ; m hile similar doors, thonoh 

 much smaller, made of Teak, were so much decayed, a 

 year ago, as to render it necessary to replace them. 



In addition to my own experiments, I have lately learned 

 that the decks of pinnaces to the eastward, about Chittagong, 

 Dacca, &c. are made of this timber, because it bears the wea- 

 ther better than any other they know, without shrinking, or 

 warping. 



These favourable circumstances induce me to hope, that 

 experiments will be made to ascertain its value ^vhen used 

 for the bottonis, and upper works, of vessels, as m ell as for 

 knees, curved timbers, &c. 



