224 WOODS OF COMMERCE. 



mable. This most valuable of Australian timbers is stated to 

 cover 14,000 square miles; but the best timber grows only on 

 the ironstone ridges. It should be cut when the sap is at its 

 lowest ebb and banded if in the round, or seasoned one month 

 for every inch in thickness if in scantlings. Its durability is due 

 to from 16 20 per cent, of a powerfully astringent gum, mainly 

 consisting of an acid allied to tannic, which is present in the 

 heartwood when sound. Burrs are sometimes formed on the 

 trees, from 6 10 ft. across and equal to those of Oak or Walnut 

 in their figure. For shipbuilding Jarrah is classed in line 3 of 

 Lloyd's Register : it can be used without copper-sheathing : while 

 cheaper in India than Teak when in the log and only half its 

 price in scantlings, roof-shingles made of it are water-tight and 

 almost uninflammable ; and it is largely used for sleepers, 

 telegraph-poles, piles, dock gates, and keelsons, but especially for 

 wood paving-blocks, for which purpose it is unequalled. Its 

 price in England is about 7 per ton, or from 9 10s. to 13 10s. 

 per 1000 blocks, the freight alone being 50 60 shillings a ton. 

 The ornamental varieties are valued for furniture, in spite of their 

 great weight ; and the wood also yields an excellent charcoal. 



Jarul (Lagerstrcemia flos-regince Retz. : Order Lythrdcece). India, 

 Burma, and Ceylon. "Queen Lagerstroemia." SansL "Stotu- 

 lari." Hind. "Jarul." Burm. "Pym-mah." Sink. " Muruta." 

 Height 30 ft. to first branch ; diam. 4 ft. S.G. 744. W 4146-5. 

 E 544 tons. /5-22. fc 2-76. fs -337. R 822 Ibs. Light red, hard, 

 lustrous, durable under water. The most valuable timber of 

 North-east India and second only to Teak in Burma. Chiefly 

 used in boat-building, often yielding compass-timber suitable for 

 knees ; but also for naves, felloes, waggon-frames, gun-carriages, 

 and building. 



Jhand (Prosdpis spicigera L. : Order Leguminusce). Persia, 

 Afghanistan, Western India. A moderate-sized tree, yielding 

 timber 9 in. square, purplish-brown, straight-grained, very hard, 

 tough and strong, easily worked, but not durable. Used for 

 wheels, carts, agricultural implements, weavers' shuttles, furni- 

 ture, and building. 



