112 



FOREST PRODUCTS. 



of the colouring matter is extracted by six or eight hours of 

 boiling. The extract thus obtained is to be inspissated over 

 a charcoal fire, and when the liquid portions have been suffi- 

 ciently evaporated, the residue may be sun-dried, after being 

 moulded in blocks. The product thus obtained is inferior 

 to the natural exudation, having a greenish tinge. Gamboge 

 is used medicinally, and in the arts as a paint. There are 

 other species of gamboge-producing trees (Garcinias) in 

 the shola forests of the district ; but the gamboge pro- 

 duced by them is, on the whole, inferior to that from this 

 species. G. Wightii and G. Travancorica ; both produce 

 very fair gamboge. 



Isonandra Wightiana. This magnificent evergreen tree 

 produces copiously a thick milky sap which hardens into a 

 kind of Gutta Percha. Commercially it has at present no 

 value. 



Lagerstroemia Microcarpa yields sparingly a gum resin, 

 of no particular value. 



L. Flos Regince. This species also yields a gum resin 

 very similar to the above. 



Hacaranga tomentosa. Evergreen forests. Yields in small 

 quantities a medicinal gum. 



Melia Azadarachta yields freely and in large quanti- 

 ties a clear gum, which is used medicinally in India. 



Moringa pteriggosperma cultivated in Malabar, yields a 

 dark-coloured gum used medicinally, otherwise of no value. 



Odina Wodier yields quantities of a bright clear gum, 

 which is used in calico-printing, &c. 



Poinciana regia yields gum of a pale straw colour in 

 small quantities. 



Pterocarpus marsupium. A valuable timber tree of the 

 deciduous forests, yields an abundance of ruby-coloured sap 

 which hardens, and breaks up into small garnet-coloured 

 grains. This gum resin is exceedingly astringent and is 

 used medicinally and to stain wood. The Myristica Mala- 

 bar ica also yields an abundance of kino. 



