406 



CONIFERS. 



[Allies. 



NOTE. The Roorkee experiments gave a mean of 687 as the value of P. for Punjab timber, and 592 for 

 Garhwal timber. It has since been proved that these values were too high, and the experiments of Rai 

 Kanhya Lai, who operated on larger pieces give a mean of 334. The working value of P. as taken by the 

 Department Public Works in the Punjab is now 300. 



Deodar wood is extremely durable, being by far the most durable of the woods of 

 the Himalayan Conifers. It is the chief timber of North-West India and is used for 

 all purposes of construction, for railway sleepers, bridges, and even for furniture and 

 shingles. An oil is obtained from the wood by destructive distillation ; it is dark- 

 coloured, thick, and resembles crude turpentine. It is used for anointing the inflated 

 skins which are used for crossing rivers ; and as a remedy for ulcers and eruptions 

 for mange in horses and sore feet in cattle. 



Rings per inch 

 of radius. 



34 

 23 

 11 

 7-5 



18 



7 



10 



rings. 



940. 

 902. 

 900. 

 616. 

 617. 

 16. 

 42. 

 H 3058. 

 H 3096. 



H 

 H 

 H 

 H 

 H 

 H 

 H 



Chenab Forests 



Siiil Valley, Chumba 



Ravi Forests .... 



Beas Forests (Kulu) . 



Sutlej Forests (Bussahir) . 



Cheog Forest, Simla, 7,000 feet 



Mahasu Forest, Simla, 8,000 feet 



3. ABIES, Tournef. 



Ibs. 



34 

 32 

 36 

 42 

 31 

 41 

 35 



42 



Three Indian species. The Spruce Fir of Europe is A. excelsa, DC. ; Brandis 526, 

 and is nearly allied to, and much resembles, the Himalayan A. Smithiana. The Silver 

 Fir of Europe is A. pectinata, DC. ; Brandis 528, which is similarly related to 

 A. Webbiana of the Himalaya ; while the Himalayan A. dumosa finds its counterpart 

 in the Hemlock Spruce of Canada, A. canadensis, Michaux (Brandis 527). Nearly 

 related to this last is the Douglas Spruce, A. Dotifflasii, Lindl., a tree which forms 

 extensive forests in North-West America, attaining a height of 300 feet and more, and 

 furnishing a valuable strong timber. It is extremely fast grown and has succeeded 

 admirably in Great Britain. Many other species of Abies are in cultivation in 

 Europe. 



Wood generally not resinous (the resin being- usually found in the 

 bark), light-coloured, almost white, no heart wood, not homogeneous, 

 consisting of alternate layers of soft spring wood and hard autumn wood. 

 Vertical resinous ducts scanty. 



Cones at the ends of branches, drooping or horizontal, 

 scales persistent. 



Cones 4-6 inches long, leaves green . . . A. Smithiana. 



Cones 1 inch white beneath . A. dumosa. 

 Cones lateral erect, scales deciduous . . . A. Webbiana. 



i uncntH made at Lahore between May 10 and August 6, 1876 and published iuCircularNu.il 

 of November 3d, 1H77 of the Government of the Punjiib, PuMi. Works Department. 



