n8 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



loss. If, however, it is used in bulk, or in stout scantlings> 

 as for backing to armour-plates on ships, or in batteries, 

 or any similar works, it answers equally well with the 

 Moulmein Teak, the risk being in attempting to reduce 

 it into thin planks. The Rangoon Teak is straight, and 

 yields a better average length of log than is to be found 

 in those of the Moulmein district ; the dimensions of the 

 squares are, however, nearly alike. 



In Malabar, the largest forests of Teak trees are to 

 be found upon the Annamallay hills, at an elevation of 

 about 1,500 to 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. They 

 consist, however, for the most part, of saplings and trees 

 past their prime, the most useful having been felled and 

 removed long since, a few trees of excessively large 

 growth only being left available for the purposes of 

 commerce. 



The Teak grown on the Annamallay hills is subject 

 to extensive heart and other shakes about the centre of 

 the tree, and this involves great waste of timber, as only 

 the flitches taken from the outside part are available for 

 use. Attempts have been made to produce " squares " 

 and " planks " by the use of the saw upon pits, and 

 by machinery, but it was found not to answer ; the logs 

 were, therefore, cleaved by wedges along the run of 

 the heart-shake into two segments, and from these 

 " squares " " planks " and various scantlings were pro- 

 duced by the axe, quite clear of shakes. 



The Malabar Teak is very good in quality, and is 

 generally darker in colour, denser, and a trifle stronger 

 than Burmah Teak, when tested, one piece against 

 another. But, as the trees are so much less useful on 

 account of the defects before mentioned, it is probable 

 the Burmah Teak will always have the preference for 



