CHAPTER X 
HARDWOOD TIMBERS FROM ASIATIC SOURCES : 
INDIA—SIAM AND OTHER COUNTRIES 
THE great East Indian Empire is richly afforested 
with fine timbers of almost innumerable varieties, 
about which exhaustive information is available in 
the publications of the Indian Forest Department. 
Most of the forests are under the control of this Depart- 
ment, the woods being exploited under their direction, 
schemes for systematic reproduction being formulated 
under their authority, and in addition they issue abun- 
dant information as above stated, covering the whole 
subject. There is apparently a great native consump- 
tion of these Indian woods, for out of an approximate 
total of 5,000 woody species which are said to exist in 
the country, and of which rather more than half are 
timber trees, not more than about a dozen are regularly 
supplied to the outside markets, and only one, namely, 
Teak, is shipped in any considerable quantity. 
Satin Wood.—The introduction of this fine wood 
probably took place for the first time about thirty or 
thirty-five years ago, when logs and more often planks, 
sawn into boards, were brought to the English market. 
Most of the wood was finely figured, and was readily sold, 
notwithstanding the difficulties of cutting these boards 
into veneers. Gradually, with the establishment of a 
regular demand, nothing but timber in the round was 
shipped. It now arrives in this natural condition, 
the logs mostly ranging from 10 to 20 ft. in length, 
and with a diameter of about 16 in. to 24 in. The 
wood is of yellow or yellowish-brown colour, very hard, 
dense, and with a bright lustre. Many of the logs are 
87 
7—(1460A)" 
