406 VARIETIES OF TEAK. 



the greatest in the world, is the Teak or Indian Oak (Tectona grandis}, 

 which covers vast areas of ground in Hindostan. It flourishes also 

 in Pegu, Ava, Siam, Java, and the Burman Empire. It works 

 easily, and though porous, is permanent arid strong ; is readily 

 seasoned, and shrinks but little ; is of an oleaginous character, and 

 therefore does not corrode iron. It is as strong as oak, and more 

 buoyant. Its durability is more uniform and decided ; and to insure 

 that durability it needs less care and preparation ; for it may be 

 taken into use almost green from the forest, without danger of dry 

 or wet rot. It will endure all climates and all alternations of 

 climate.* 



The teak of Malabar, grown on the high table-lands in the south 

 of India, is esteemed the best, because it is the heaviest, the most 

 durable, contains the most oil, and is the closest in its fibre. Next 

 in quality ranks that of Java, and inferior to these in some respects 

 is the teak of Burmah, Rangoon, and Siam ; which, however, is the 

 most buoyant, and the best fitted for masts and spars. 



African teak, let me note, is not teak properly so called, but the 

 timber of the Oldfieldia Afrimna. It is largely imported from the 

 west coast of Africa, and though an useful wood, lacks the most 

 valuable properties of the genuine teak. 



The teak is a handsome and even stately tree, often attaining 

 the noble stature of 130 to 150 feet, with a trunk of proportionate 

 diameter, upright, well-shaped, and surmounted by wide - spread 

 branches. Its large leaves are oval, of a velvety under-surface, and 

 besprinkled on the upper with whitish spots. Its flowers cluster at 

 the extremity of the branch in an ample and beautiful panicle. The 

 poisonous properties of its wood preserve it from the attacks of vermin, 

 but render it dangerous to work, for men who are but lightly 

 wounded by its splinters die after a very brief interval. 



A less useful timber than the teak, but much esteemed for the 

 manufacture of articles of luxury, is furnished by the Diospyros 

 ebenum and the Santalum album. 



* Craufurd, " The Eastern Archipelago.'' 



