OF PRODUCTION OF ALOES-WOOD. $1 



and where it is found more plentifully and of better 

 quality than in any other part of the world. But 

 even there to acquire a thorough knowledge of, 

 and to become intimately acquainted with its his- 

 tory, much assiduity and labour is requisite, as 

 these trees are only to be met with at a great dis- 

 tance from the inhabited parts of the country, on 

 elevated and chiefly deserted tracts, extending for 

 more than eleven degrees in the direction of N. W. 

 inclining to W. and separating the kingdom of 

 Laos from those of Tonquin, Cochin China and 

 Champa. 



The tree which gives us the true Aloes-wood is 

 of considerable size and its branches ascending. 

 Its bark is smooth, consisting of strong, flexible, 

 threadlike fibres, resembling those of hemp. 



The wood is white, not very hard, and des- 

 titute of coloured veins. Leaves alternate, lan- 

 ceolate, coriaceous, smooth, flat and undivided. 

 Flowers terminating the branches in small corymbi. 

 Each has a calyx of four acute, hairy, deciduous leaf- 

 lets ; the under one curved, bent inward, crescent- 



F 



