CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 109 



Kara WE. Cinnamomum inunctum, Meissn. Weight, 42 lbs. (Troup). 

 India. 



There is no European name for this wood, which has not yet been 

 imported on a commercial basis. Karawe or karaway is the Burmese 

 vernacular name. It has the same general appearance as real camphor- 

 wood (C. Camphor a), with similar black streaks, but it is of an orange- 

 red colour and has a bright sheen. It possesses aU the necessary 

 characteristics of a first-rate wood which will stand well under any 

 conditions, without warping or twisting. A few logs were imported some 

 years ago, but as it was unknown it was unnoticed at the time and its 

 undoubted value was quite unrecognised. 



Gamble reports it as being used in India for house-building and for 

 shingles, and Troup speaks of it as being suitable for cabinet-making. 

 It possesses a sHght, pleasant aromatic scent which would make it 

 attractive for the Hnings of cabinets and bedroom furniture. It is alto- 

 gether a very desirable and useful wood. 



The pores, which are not very clearly defined, are irregular in size 

 and axe partially plugged with bright, shining gum (?). The medullary 

 rays are rather ill-defined, although regular and clearly apparent. 

 According to Gamble the rays give a good silver grain. This, however, 

 is not seen in my specimen. 



Karri. Eucalyptus diversicolor, F. v. M. Weight, 53 lbs. Western 

 Australia. 



We are probably only just beginning to realise the value of this 

 important timber, the product of a magnificent tree which grows to an 

 immense height and of which this part of the British Empire possesses 

 such a princely supply. JuUus speaks of it as " one of the finest and 

 most graceful trees in the forests of Australia," and as occsisionally reach- 

 ing the wonderful height of " 300 feet . . . over 180 feet to the first 

 limb and from 20 to 30 feet in circvmiference at the base." The timber 

 is red in colour, heavy, tough, dense, elastic, and closely similar to jarrah 

 in appearance. This similarity, however, is actually harmful, and the 

 absence of due investigation and comparison of the two woods has led 

 to the same deplorable results as have been noticed with the Indian timbers, 

 eng and gurjun, which have suffered by their similarity to teak. 



Karri is a much stronger wood than jarrah but is not so durable in 

 the ground, and is not termite-proof. It has been largely used in England 

 for railway waggon scantlings and telegraph arms, and has given most 

 satisfactory results ; it is doubtful, indeed, whether it has not been proved 

 to be better for these purposes than any other timbers available. For 

 sleepers and paving blocks, however, it has not yet given good results. 



