352 



batitinan, black butt, dungon, mancono, molave, and ipil, which 

 have been attacked by Odontotcruies fonnosanus, were immune. 

 These differences seem to be due to the inactivity of the insect 

 effected by somewhat lower temperature than in Formosa, as 

 well as the existence of a smaller number of individuals. In 

 order to get a more satisfactory result, the blocks that were 

 found free from attack were buried again in the same place and 

 left untouched until July 19, 1915. 



Twenty-one months after first inspection, all the blocks were 

 dug out. 



These results agree quite well with those obtained at Tainan, 

 although the Philippine woods molave and ipil have been slightly 

 attacked by Odoiitotennes fonnosanus. It is a striking fact 

 that teak and cypress pine, which are said to be absolutely im- 

 mune from termites in the Tropics, are also free from the attack 

 of two species of Formosan termites ; namely, Odontotermes 

 fonnosanus and Coptotennes fonnosanus. It seems reasonable, 

 therefore, to conclude that teak and cypress pine are absolutely 

 immune timbers. 



The following paragraphs are quoted from Boulger : ^ 



Cypress pine: Callitris glauca R. Br. (?) ; family Coniferae. Renowned 

 for its pleasant odor — camphoraceous or sometimes reminding one of san- 

 dal-wood — and its great power of resistance to insect pests. Cypress 

 pine is about the last timber that the white ant will attack. Some of the 

 species, the red or black pine in particular, produce very showy timber ; 

 in fact, many of the plants are so gorgeous in appearance that care is 

 required in using it for decorative purposes, lest it should have too over- 

 powering an effect. At the same time much of the timber is of a quite, 

 handsome character. The prevailing color of the figure is grown of 

 various shades. It may be readily dressed to a smooth and glossy surface. 

 It is extensively used in buildings liable to be attacked by white ants, for 

 house blocks, linings, and ceilings of houses, and for telegraph poles. It 

 is one of the most luxurious firewoods ; it burns w^ell, and in burning emits 

 a delicious fragrance very generally admired. It is chiefly distributed in 

 the drier parts of New Sout'h Wales, but some is available in the north 

 coast district of Australia. 



Teak ; Tectona grandis L. ; family Verbenaceae. It reaches a height 

 of 8o to 100 feet, diameter 3 to 4 feet, sometimes larger. Trunk straight 

 leaves large, drooping, and deciduous, simple and opposite, with a dense 

 mat af velvety 'hairs beneath, varying in size from 19-33 centimeters long, 

 and 13-5-22 centimeters wide, though sprout leaves are much larger. 



Color of the timber is light straw-color to a brownisTi red. when fresh, 

 but darkening on exposure. Some of the teak of the Decan is beautifully 

 veined, streaked and mottled. Teak varies much according to locality and 

 soil, that of Malabar being darker, heavier, and rather stronger, but not 

 so large as that of Burma. Though without shakes on its outer surfaces, 

 teak nearly always has a heartshake, which, owing to a twist in the growth, 

 may often at the top be at right angles to what it is at the butt, thus 

 seriously interfering with conversion, though often little affecting the use 

 of the timber in bulk. In these shakes an excretion of apatite or phosphate 

 of lime consolidates in white masses, which will turn the edge of most tools. 

 Teak splits readily and is easily worked, but it owes its superiority for ship- 

 building over both pine and oak in part to its freedom from any change of 

 form or warping, when once seasoned, even under the extreme climatic 



^Boulger, G, S., Wood. 



