2 TEAK. 
arranged pores. The medullary rays are moderately 
broad, giving a conspicuous handsome silver green of 
elongated plates. The wood has anagreeable smell ina 
dry state, being scented with an oil which is perceptible 
to the touch. Further, Teak contains silicic and tannic 
acids, which properties are to a great extent the cause of 
its durability as they do not corrode iron and prevent rot. 
The pith is large and quadrangular. The specific gravity 
is 0.7-0.85. Other good qualities which make this wood so 
valuable are its nonliability to swell and its absence of 
knots. The wood being also soft, strong and com- 
paratively light, it can easily be worked and is considered 
as the best wood for building purposes. It polishes . 
well. In durability it even exceeds the oaix. 
Teak trees grow up to 800 m. in elevation into 
groups and thus form forests by themselves, that is to say 
in the so-called teak forests they preponderate over 
other trees and plants. These forests are situated in 
the dry regions of the Monthon Bayap (Chiengmai) and 
in some parts of the Pitsnuloke and Nakonsawan to 
Monthon (Raheng, Kampeng). These regions are hilly and 
