36 James Mann : 



however, that seasoned wood always contains at least 12 per 

 cent, of moisture, so that the volatile matter, apart from the 

 moisture, would be calculated on 88 pounds of dry wood. Take 

 an example, say Madave : — 100 pounds of ordinary seasoned 

 wood contains 12 pounds of moisture; during carbonisation, 

 this moisture is first driven off, leaving 88 lbs. of dry wood. 

 Now, as Madnve yields 24 j^er cent, of charcoal, the weight of 

 charcoal produced from ^^ lbs. would be 21 lbs., and the 

 volatile substances would weigh 88 — 21 = 67 lbs. 



The percentage of ash contained in the charcoal may also be 

 calculated, the results being interesting in that they enable one 

 to select special fuel for special work. In this series, the char- 

 coal of Tamauau contains the greatest quantity of asli, and 

 that of Madave the least, thus : — 



With regard to the burning properties of the woods, UJabo 

 proved to be the most difficult to burn, as was anticipated from 

 the experiments on the burning of splinters. 



Conclusion. 



The author had intended to make several other tests, but 

 considered it unwise to withhold the matter already collected. 



Papua contains a great variety of timber trees, the Avood from 

 which is of economic value ; it is therefore essential that a 

 botanical survey be undertaken and a thorough investigation 

 be entered upon, in order to prove their usefulness for the great 

 variety of purposes to which timber is applied. 



The schedules of details and photogniplis of fractures 

 will help the reader to appreciate the summaries in the earlier 

 pages. 



The author desires to acknowledge the kindly help of Prof. 

 Henry Payne and his assistant, Mr. Taylor, also that of Mr. 

 Donald Clark and his assistant, Mr. G. Frieberg, in the charcoal 

 and ash tests. 



