STKAITS SETTLEMENTS AND MALAY AECHIPELAGO 197 



Kajoe Bessi (Erytliroxylon sp.), another of these so-called 

 ironwoods of Borneo and the neighbouring islands, is 

 much used by the Government for building bridges, piers, 

 houses, etc. It is very hard, has a long life, and can be 

 obtained in lengths of 60 ft. and a foot square. 



Kariskes (Mimusops sp.), is another very hard wood from 

 the same locality, which can be got in lengths up to 90 ft. 

 and 1 foot diameter. 



Possi Possi (Sonneratia acida) or Malay river willow, 

 though not a true willow, can be obtained 60 ft. long and 

 1 foot diameter. 



There are two mangrove trees known by the name Tring 

 (Bruguiera and RkizopJiora) found in the Celebes and also in 

 Australia, from which logs 120 ft. long can be got, but 

 only 9 inches in diameter. Mr. James also tested these 

 timbers (Kajoe Bessi, Kariskes, Possi Possi, and Tring) at Port 

 Darwin, and found that Kajoe Bessi, Kariskes, and Tring 

 were attacked by the teredo in eighteen weeks, but all four 

 timbers resisted better than either Karri or Jarrah. They 

 were all partly destroyed by white ants after being buried 

 in the ground for twenty-five weeks. 



Merabau or Miraboo (Afzelia bakeri), one of the most 

 important timber trees of the Malay Peninsula, is fairly 

 abundant in Perak and Selangor, and extends as far north as 

 Siam. The timber is dark brown in colour, hard, and very 

 durable. It is one of the best for sleepers, and also takes 

 a fine polish. The medullary rays are fine. 



Weight 55 Ibs. per cubic foot. 



Molave (Vitex geniculata), probably allied to the Milla of 

 Ceylon, is a tree found in the Philippines, which yields a 

 wood extensively used in the islands, of very durable 



