102 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Dalbergia nigra, Allemao. 



Brazil, down to the Southern Provinces. A tall tree, likely to 

 prove hardy in our warmer and lower regions. It yields a portion 

 of the Jacaranda or Palisander Wood, also Caviuna Wood, which, 

 for rich furniture, have come into European use. Several Brazilian 

 species of Machserium afford, particularly M. incorruptible (Allem), 

 M. legale, and M. Allemani (Benth.), according to Saldanha da 

 Gama, a similar precious wood ; also timber for water-works and 

 railway sleepers. 



Dalbergia Sissoo, Roxburgh. 



The Indian Sissoo Tree, extending to Afghanistan, ascending to 

 elevations of 5,000 feet, attaining a height of 60 feet. It may be 

 worthy of test whether in localities free of frost, particularly along 

 sandy river banks, this important timber tree could be naturalised. 

 Brandis found the transverse strength of the wood greater than that 

 of teak and of sal ; it is very elastic, seasons well, does not warp or 

 split, and takes a fine polish. It is also durable as a wood for boats. 

 The tree is easily raised from seeds or cuttings, is of quick growth, 

 and resists slight frosts. The supply of its wood has fallen short of 

 the demand in India. Captain Campbell- Walker states that in the 

 Panjab artificial rearing of Sissoo is remunerative at only 15 inches 

 annual rainfall, with great heat in summer and sharp frosts in 

 winter ; but irrigation is resorted to at an annual expense there of 

 four shillings per acre. Sterile land is by the Sissoo-planting 

 greatly ameliorated. 



Dammar a alba, Humph. (D. orientalis. Lamb.) 



Agath Dammar. Indian Archipelagos and mainland. A large 

 tree up to 100 feet high, with a stem of up to 8 feet in diameter ; 

 straight and branchless for two-thirds its length. It is of great 

 importance on account of its yield of the transparent Dammar resin, 

 extensively used for varnish. 



Dammara Australis, Lambert* 



Kauri Pine. North Island of New Zealand. This magnificent 

 tree measures, under favourable circumstances, 180 feet in height 

 and 17 feet in diameter of stem ; the estimated age of such a tree 

 being 700 or 800 years. It furnishes an excellent, remarkably 

 durable timber, straight-grained, and much in use for masts, boats, 

 superior furniture, casks, rims of sieves, and particularly sought for 

 decks of ships, lasting for the latter purpose twice as long as the 

 deal of many other pines. It is also available for railway break- 

 blocks and for carriages, and regarded as one of the most durable 

 among timber of the Coniferse. Braces, stringers, and tie-beams of 

 wharves remained, according to Professor Kirk, for very many 



