Current Literature. 295 



The region directly back of the shore^ extending to the moun- 

 tains proper and running up in some places 175 meters above sea 

 level, is characterized by the presence of bamboos and by trees more 

 or less deciduous, of which Parkia Roxburghii is a type. Mr. 

 Whitford gives to this type the name of "Bambusa-Parkia" forma- 

 tion. It is exposed during the dry season to greater drying influ- 

 ences than at higher altitudes. The present forest is in large part 

 second growth, resulting probably from clearings made for cultiva- 

 tion, so-called "caingins." The general term for such second 

 growth forests is "parang." Mr. Whitford divides the general 

 type into subordinate types like "Dinochloa Parang," "Mixed 

 Parang," etc. Fully two-thirds of the whole formation is occupied 

 by this parang type, including the open areas covered with cogon 

 grass. 



The region of the reserve lying back of the lowlands is of 

 even greater interest to the forester because it is not likely to be 

 used for any but forest purposes in the future. The region im- 

 mediately back of the type just described is called by Mr. Whit- 

 ford "The Anisoptera-Strombosia" formation, so named from the 

 most distinctive trees in the upper and lower stories. The forest 

 is characterized by a two-storied form, and the presence of many 

 trees of great size. The most characteristic is the Mayapis, which 

 reaches a height of 36 meters. This type, while containing many 

 small straight trees so characteristic of the tropics, does not have 

 the desity of the second growth parang, and, were it not for the 

 numerous rattans, the aspect of the forest would not after all be so 

 very different from that in many sections of our own country. The 

 immense number of species growing in mixture is well shown in 

 Mr. Whitford's sample plots, one of which on a single hectare shows 

 120 different species of trees. The upper story is composed prin- 

 cipally of the Dipterocarpaceae. This family is an exceedingly 

 interesting one because it occurs so generally throughout the tropical 

 East and because its representatives are usually very large, tall 

 trees, forming an important element of the commercial products of 

 the forests. The Indian "Sal" and Burmese "Eng" are examples 

 of this family. The forests of the Philippines with the heaviest 

 yield are largely composed of this group, and, in the type under 

 discussion, there are six species of the family, all of which are 

 commercially valuable. 



