Papuan Thnhers. 35 



be taken from the different species, lighted, and allowed to 

 burn in still air, several peculiarities will be observed, which 

 escape observation during ordinary combustion. Some woods 

 burn readily until the whole splinter is consumed ; others are 

 difficult to burn ; som,e crackle or splutter, while others burn 

 quietly ; again, some glow brightly, others burn dully ; one 

 will cease to glow as an ember immediately, another will con- 

 tinue to glow for several seconds, perhaps minutes ; one will 

 die out with a brilliant spark and another will die without a 

 glow. The colour of the ash, too, will vary. Some species, 

 retain the ash as a short piece of brittle carbon, others retain 

 it as a snow-like point ; in others, nothing is left but a most 

 delicate web4ike fluff, while others again will leave a feathery 

 substance, which floats away like down. As a means of identi- 

 fication, this property is an aid, and in order to give some idea 

 of its value, is included in these investigations. 



Tlie following peculiarities have been noted during experi- 

 ments on this series of Papuan woods : — • 



Name of Timber Remarks on the character of the ash, etc. 



Ulabo (a) - Splinter burns fairly well, slowly, leaving a 



bluish-white ash, which is retained and 



feathery. 

 Ulabo {b) - Splinter burns badly, leaving a bluish-white 



ash, which is retained and feathery. 

 Ulabo {c) - Splinter burns slowly, leaving a bluish-white 



ash. 

 Ulabo (d) - Splinter burns slowly, leaving a bluish-white 



ash. 

 [Note. — The spark smoulders for a considerable time; 

 should make a splendid flrewood when once lighted.] 

 Alaga (a) - Splinter burns slowly and quietly, leaving a 



pure white feathery ash. 

 Alaga (b) - Same as (a). 



Alaga ((t) - Splinter burns with slight "crackles;" white ash 

 Alaga (d) - Same as (c). 

 [Note. — (c) and (d) were lighter coloured woods than (a) and (b).'\ 

 Tamanau (a) - Splinter burns badly, crackles ; white ash, but 



grey or bluish at the spot where the spark 



dies. 4 



