398 CONIFERS. [Pinns. 



bars 15" X 0'8" X 0'9 V is given as 37 Ibs. and the value of P. 522. The wood is 

 extensively used in the Khasia Hills for building and other purposes. It is very 

 rich in resin. ' 



Ibs. 

 E 797. Khasia Hills 38 



3. P. Merkusii, Juugh. ; Kurz ii. 499. Vern. Tinyu-ben, Burm. 



A large tree with thick, rough bark. Heartwood yellowish brown 

 with dark streaks, moderately hard, exceedingly resinous. Structure 

 similar to that of P. Kasya. 



Tropical forests of Burma on the Thoungyeen river, associated with Dipterocarpus 

 tuber culatus. 



Our specimen shews a moderate growth, 11 rings per inch of radius ; its weight 

 is 51 Ibs. per cubic foot. Major Seaton gives 54 Ibs. The wood is sometimes brought 

 to Moulmein for mast pieces, but the difficulties of land and water transport are very 

 great, almost preventing its extraction at a profit. Splinters are extensively used for 

 torches. 



n* 



B 547. Thoungyeen, Burma * . . 51 



4. P. Gerardiana, Wall. ; Brandis 508. Vern. Chilghoza, jalghoza, 

 Afg. ; Chirijprita, mirri 9 galboja 9 galgoja, Chenab; Kashti, Ravi; Ri,rhi, 

 Kunawar ; Kannucki, fconiunchi, kaninclii, sJiangti, W. Tibet ; the seeds* 

 neoza. 



A moderate-sized tree, with very thin, smooth, grey bark, exfoliating 

 in large thin scales, leaving shallow, rounded depressions ; cracked only in 

 very old trees. Heartwood yellowish-brown, hard, durable, very resinous. 

 Kesinous ducts scattered, similar in size to those of P. excelsa, prominent 

 on a vertical section. 



Inner dry and arid North- West Himalaya, found in isolated areas of no great 

 extent, generally between 6,000 and 10,000 feet, mountains of North Afghanistan and 

 Kafiristan. 



Growth, specimen H 991 gives 24 rings, but appears to have been cut from a 

 branch ; H 1405, of old heartwood, gives 13 rings. Weight, 44 to 47 Ibs. per cubic 

 ioot. The wood is rarely used, as the tree is valued for its edible seeds ; it is, however, 

 sometimes hollowed out for watercourses, and is used for the hook which attaches the 

 seat to the rope in a single-rope swing-bridge. 



The seeds are a staple article of food in Kunawar, and other parts of the 

 Himalaya ; they are largely brought into India from Afghanistan. They are oily, 

 with a slight turpentine flavour, and are generally roasted and eaten at dessert. 



Ibs. 



H 991. Kunawar, Punjab, 9,000 feet 44 



H 1405. Chenab, (Stewart, 1867.) ... 47 



5. P. excelsa, Wall.; Brandis 510; Gamble 82. Vern. piuni, Afg.; 

 ]$iar y Hazara; C/iil, cliir, chiltu, chitu, chiu, Kashmir to Jaunsar ; 

 Chila, Garhwal; Kail, Beas, Sutlej ; Lim, Chamba, Kunawar ; Yara, 

 yur, yiro, Kashmir ; Shomshiiig, limshing, Lahoul ; Raisalla, lavishing, 

 byans, Kumaun ; Tongschi, Bhutan. 



A large tin- with greyish brown bark, cut into small, rather regular 

 plates by shallow fissures J inch thick. Heartwood distinct, red, 

 moderately hard. Annual rings distinctly marked by a narrow outer 

 belt or line of compact wood, inner belt not spongy. Medullary rays 

 very line and very numerous, prominent on a radial section. Vertical 

 resinous ducts scattered, smaller than those of P. longifoiia, very 

 numerous and prominent on a vertical section. 



Himalaya, belwL'i'ii 6,<M) and 10,000 feet, occasionally found as low as 5,000 feet 



