180 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



purple Papilionaccce and Convolvulacca:, like the grotesque 

 shrubbery cut out of boxwood, but with all the natural 

 grace which is conspicuously wanting in Dutch gardens. 

 No tree, however, was more aljundant or brighter than 

 the Lagcrstrcemia, whose fine red tops could be seen a 

 long way off." Lower down " the Jambus {Jamhosa sp.) 

 seemed to be among the most common trees, and their 

 long white-stamened flowers falling on the water glided 

 down the stream like so many stars. - The whole surface 

 of the water was covered, absolutely in a close sheet, 

 with petals, fruits, and leaves of innumerable species. . . . 

 To recall the magnificent flora of the upper reaches of 

 the river almost makes me retract the statement that 

 the tropics present few flowers, for so blossom-spangled 

 a road it would be difficult to match anywhere." 



From many of these trees and plants economic pro- 

 ducts of great value are obtained. Sumatra exports 

 large quantities of gutta-percha, rattan, dammar, and other 

 gums and resins. Dammar is chiefly collected from various 

 species of the Diptcrocarpccc, some of which are trees of 

 enormous size, which will yield nearly a Imndred pounds 

 weight of the resin. The " eye-danniiar," which is the 

 best description, and is that sent to Europe, is the exuda- 

 tion from Hopea dryobalanoidc^, but the common " stone- 

 dammar," used chiefly for paying the seams of vessels, 

 is obtained from Vatica cximia, also of the order 

 Diptcrocaiyece. Benzoin, the gum of Siyrax benzoin, is 

 also collected in considerable quantities, together with 

 catechu and other medicinal products. Eecent travellers 

 have remarked upon the reckless destruction of the forest 

 by the natives, l)ut bearing in mind the vast area of land 

 knriwn to be entirely covered Ijy virgin forest, it is 

 unlikely that any real injury will result for many years 

 to come. 



