CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 245 



from Burma, and 8 months to 6i years for jamba {Xylia dolahriformis) ^ 

 from Bombay and Madras. The rail does not cut into the sal sleepers 

 even after long use. The spike holes corrode and the spike shakes 

 loose after continual wear. They also rust or corrode, but apparently 

 not more than in the case of teak sleepers, though worse than jarrah. 

 This wood holds the spikes longer and better than others. The wood 

 somewhat resembles the so-called camphor -wood of Borneo {Dryoha- 

 lanops aromatica), but it is harder and heavier, and would give more 

 satisfactory results for strength and durability. It would be a very 



Photo.-Mechl. Depl. Thompson ColUgs. Roorkce. 

 Sal Forest of good Quality, Bengal. 



useful constructive wood in England, and if it could be obtained m 

 regular supplies at a moderate cost its use should be encouraged. For 

 sleepers or longitudinals for railway work it should be most valuable, as 

 its durabiUty is very marked, and the great difficulty experienced in the 

 use of hardwood sleepers — that of the rail or chair cutting into the wood 

 — appears, from Pearson's experience, to be overcome. 



The pores are of moderate size and are plugged with gum ; thej^ often 

 appear in patches. The meduUary rays are very fine and clear cut, 

 parallel, and joined at irregular inter N'als at right angles by faint white 

 lines. 



^ Since determined to be a separate species, X, xylocarpa (see Jamba) 



