120 FOREST PRODUCTS. 



Arabian Gulf, Cutch, &c. The Chinese pay a high price for 

 Sappan wood when the billets are long, straight, free from 

 flaws, and thick. This looks as if they employed the wood 

 in turnery and cabinet work. In Malabar, however, the 

 trees are, as a rule, poor and crooked, and are grubbed up 

 roots and all, before they reach maturity. 



Cathartocarpus (Cassia) fistula. The bark of this tree is 

 principally used in Malabar for tanning. 



Gedrela Toona. The flowers yield a reddish dye. 



Curcuma aromatica. Wild turmeric is found in the 

 forests of Wynaad and the Western Ghats. It is exten- 

 sively collected and is known as " Custoory Manja." It is 

 used by native women as a cosmetic and in dyeing. 



Cynometra ramiflora. A decoction of the chips of the 

 heartwood of this tree yields a fine purplish dye. 



Diospyros Embryopteris. The fruit of this tree is used 

 for tanning and dyeing. In combination with proto-sulphate 

 of iron (Annabathy) it produces all shades of brown, brown- 

 ish-black, and black. 



Erythrina Indica. The scarlet flowers of this tree pro- 

 duce a red dye. 



Eugenia Sp. All species of Eugenia produce barks used 

 for tanning and dyeing. In combination with the salts of 

 iron, all shades of brown and black can be obtained. 



Lagerstroemia microcarpa. The bark is said to be used 

 in tanning. 



Lawsonia alba. The young leaves of this shrub are 

 largely used by Mahomedans for dyeing their nails, beards 

 and horse tails occasionally a bright orange red. 



Mallotus Phillipenensis (Rottlcra tinctoria). This small 

 tree is very abundant from the sea-coast to 2,500 feet in 

 Wynaad. The clusters of orange-red berries are very strik- 

 ing in February when the berries ripen. The dye is the 

 downy bloom that covers the fruit. It is obtained by dry- 

 ing the berries and shaking them smartly in a vessel when 

 the powder is rubbed >IT : unl falls to the bottom. It is not 



