DHAK, OR PULAS FIBRE. 297 
was recognized by Dr. Falconer, from a few leaves forwarded 
by Major Jenkins, to belong to Bauhinia scandens, a common 
species in Silhet. Captain Thomson having tested this fibre, 
reports on it to the following effect : 
“The line made from the fibre sent by Major Jenkins, sus- 
tained for forty-five minutes, 168 lb., having stretched six inches 
only in three feet, and therefore is about the same strength 
with our best Sunn Hemp. But, whether from the mode of 
preparation or the nature of the material, is so harsh and 
stubborn, and the fibres stick so close together, that the heckles 
tear it to pieces, and injure its strength.” 
Dr. Buchanan, in his ‘ Survey,’ mentions both these species 
as used for many of the same purposes. 
Duak, or Puzas Fisre, Butea frondosa, also B. superba 
(Leguminosae). 
One of the most generally diffused plants is the Dhak or 
Pulas, as it may be found near many villages, forming their 
tracts of apparently useless because jungle-like land, but which, 
in fact, is a place of pasturage for their cattle. The Dhak, which 
is the most usual shrub, yields them firewood, and its bark and 
roots fibrous matter, which is used as cordage, or beaten to a 
kind of oakum used for caulking boats. Though such fibre 
is unimportant as an object of commerce, it is of great use to 
the natives themselves, for agricultural and domestic purposes, 
as it is possessed of a good deal of strength. Some Pulas 
fibre was sent to the Exhibition of 1851, from Beerbhoom. 
A ruby-coloured gum, which has been called Butea kino, 
exudes from incisions into the bark, which, though it abounds 
in astringent matter, Mr. Teil, of Calcutta, has found difficult 
to apply to the tanning of leather, but its colouring matter is 
powerful and permanent. In the jungles, where the Dhak is 
allowed to grow into a small tree, it is highly ornamental 
from the splendour of its inflorescence, and is further useful 
from its large flowers, called deesoo and keesoo, yielding a beautiful 
dye, which is likely to come into extensive use. This plant is 
further interesting, as that from which the name of the Pelasgi 
has been supposed to be derived by Mr. Peacock, in his 
‘Greece in India.’ 
