258 
timber producer, whilst it is the most important resin-producing 
conifer of N. India. A native of the Himalaya it occurs between 
1500-7500 ft. elevation. in the west, but is said to ascend little 
over 3000 ft. in-the east. At its best it forms a very large tree 
with a straight trunk, but in some districts the trunk is said to 
twist badly, making it of little value for constructive work. 
The better classes of timber are used for building purposes, 
whilst the wood is reported as making good charcoal. It has 
also been suggested that it would answer very well for railway 
sleepers if creosoted. Large quantities of resin are collected 
annually from this species, and Gamble reports, l.c. p. 707, that 
in a good season a tree will generally give about 12 lbs. of resin. 
It occurs over a considerable area of country, often as a pure 
stand, and belongs to the three-leaved eroup of the genus, being 
easily recognised by its leaves often exceeding 9 in. in length, 
and by its large woody cones. A good series of specimens of 
resin, turpentine, and other products may be seen in Museum III. 
at Kew. In “I 
remunerative, while the existing demand for the turpentine for 
medical purposes testifies to its purity. The Indian pines 
‘amed. Under- normal conditions it forms a large tree, and the 
timber is used locally, . . 
: P. Merkusii, Jungh § de Vriese. 
This pine is found in the Malay Archipelago, where, under 
oun conditions, it attains a height of 60-100 ft., with a girth 
or? tt. or so. The wood is heavy, of h 
; ? c 
commercial value, whilst difficulties of extraction render it un- 
likely that the timb i i duces 
resin of good qaalit . will ever be of general use. It pro 
