12 FIRST REPORT ON FOREST OPERATIONS 



allowed this practice. There is not much blackwood remaining 

 in the Anamalai forest, but there is a considerable quantity in 

 the escheated forest of Chennat Nair, and it is abundant in the 

 Wainad and Coorg. In consequence of its increasing value, I 

 have given instructions for an experimental sowing this year at 

 Nellambur. 



21. Sappan wood.* — This important dyewood has engaged my 

 attention. It appears to grow with great luxuriance in South 

 Malabar, and is cultivated rather extensively by the Moplahs, 

 who plant a number of the seeds at the birth of a daughter. The 

 trees require fourteen or fifteen years to come to maturity, and 

 then become her dowry. I saw more on the banks of the Nell- 

 ambur Eiver than anywhere else. Why it should be there in 

 particular is not obvious, as Malabar is generally uniform in its 

 character. A better system of cutting and cultivating the sappan 

 is desirable ; and the dyewood is damaged, I believe, by being 

 allowed to float in salt water. The quantity raised is not great, 

 but it grows without any care, and, from the facility of water- 

 carriage to Calicut, I think that the district is very favourable 

 for its extension. I sent a packet of seeds to Canara for experi- 

 mental sowing on the banks of tbe Black Eiver. 



22. Sandal-wood.f — This tree has received much attention in 

 Canara, Coimbatore, Salem, and a little in North Arcot. It would 

 appear that its spontaneous growth has increased to a consider- 

 able extent; and it seems certain that, with the vigilant super- 

 vision of local officers, and slight assistance to nature in clearing 

 tbe heads of young plants, which are often matted down by strong 

 creepers, an addition might accrue to tbe revenue of these pro- 

 vinces. From information received from the late Assistant-Sur- 

 geon Drew, I was enabled to communicate to the commissioner 

 of Mysore the existence of a large band of smugglers in an 

 unfrequented path near the Carkur Pass, who were captured by 

 the Mysore horse, to the number of seventy-eight, with the san- 

 dalwood tied on their backs. This seizure effectually stopped a 

 long-continued system of robbery on the Malabar frontier. 



23. Gutta-percha. — The "gutta-percha tree of the western 

 coast," so called, has been traced from Coorg to Trevandrum 

 * Cmsalpinia sappan, L. t Santalum album, L. 



