i 3 o TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



not extensively known then, it was a favourite wood in 

 the East for works requiring strength and durability, 

 and without doubt the samples I met with all looked 

 remarkably well, and seemed fit to be employed in 

 any work of construction where great strength is 

 required. 



It is interesting to note that, subsequent to this, 

 Lieut.-Col. H. W. Blake, the Commissioner at Moulmein, 

 brought this wood to the notice of the Home Govern- 

 ment. He says ; "It is one of the largest trees in Bur- 

 mah, and is called Ingazylocarva, a species of Acacia, 

 which combines in itself the properties of wood and iron, 

 and is therefore very appropriately called Iron-wood by 

 us and Pyengadu by the Burmans. It is heavier than 

 water and more indestructible than iron. There is a 

 piece of this wood which supported a Teak figure of 

 'Godama' taken from Rangoon in 1826, standing in a 

 lake near. The Teak figure has long since mouldered 

 away into dust, but at the pillar I fired a rifle shot, at 

 20 yards' distance ; the ball was thrown back, making no 

 penetration whatever. The wood seems hardened by 

 time and exposure, and it is also a fact that the teredo 

 will not touch it. The Burmans do not girdle and kill 

 this tree as they do the Teak, but fell and saw it up at 

 once, and refuse to work it in a dry state." 



Dr. Hooker says : "It is found, not universally in India, 

 but in widely distant parts. Throughout Tenasserim 

 and the Malay peninsula it is called ' Peengado.' It is 

 abundant in the Bombay Presidency, where it is called 

 ' Jambea ' and ' Yerool ;' in the Godavery forests it bears 

 the name of ' Boja ; ' it is common at Singapore, and I 

 have ascertained that it is plentiful in the Philippine 

 Islands. Everywhere the wood bears a high character 



