Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 161 



similar precious wood, also timber for waterworks and railway- 

 sleepers, particularly M. incorruptible (Allemao), M. legale and M. 

 Allemai (Bentham). 



Dalbergia Sissoo, Roxburgh.* 



The Indian Sissoo-tree, extending to Afghanistan, ascending to 

 elevations of 5,000 feet, attaining a height of 80 feet. It may be 

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

 along sandy river-banks, this important timber-tree could be 

 naturalised, the Sissoo bearing occasional frosty cold better than the 

 sal. Brandis found the transverse strength of the wood greater than 

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

 or split, is easily worked and takes a fine polish. It is also durable 

 as a wood for boats. The tree is easily raised from seeds or cuttings, 

 and is of quick growth. The seeds are produced copiously. The 

 supply of its wood has fallen short of the demand in India. Colonel 

 Campbell- Walker states, that in the Punjab artificial rearing of 

 Sissoo is remunerative at only 15 inches annual rainfall, with great 

 heat in summer and occasional 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. 



Dammara alba, Rumph. (D. orientalis, Lambert; Agathis loranthifolia, 

 Salisbury. ) 



Agath-Dammar-Pine. Indian Archipelagus and mainland, extend- 

 ing to the Philippine Islands. A splendid tree, up to 100 feet high, 

 with a stem to 8 feet in diameter, straight and branchless for two- 

 thirds in length. It is of great importance on account of its yield of 

 the transparent Dammar-resin, extensively used for varnish. 



Dammara Australis, Lambert.* (Agathis australis, SteudeL) 



Kauri-Pine. North-Island of New Zealand. This magnificent 

 tree measures, under favorable circumstances, 1 80 feet in height and 

 exceptionally 17 feet in diameter of stem ; the estimated but perhaps 

 overrated age of such a tree being 700 to 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 is 

 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 brake-blocks and for carriages, and regarded as one of the 

 most durable among timbers of the Conifers. Braces, stringers and 

 tie-beams of wharfs remained, according to Professor Kirk, for very 

 many years in good order under much traffic. In bridge-building 

 also the Kauri-timber gave excellent results ; it can likewise be used 

 advantageously for the sounding-boards of pianofortes. Kauri-wood 

 is also used for light handles of many implements and for various 

 instruments, including stethoscopes, for wool-presses, the body-work 

 of waggons, butter casks, brewers' vats ; further, in shipbuilding for 



