MADKAS EXHIBITION— 1855. 



CLASS IV. SECTION VI. 



Timber and Ornamental Woods* 



SuB-j0EY.-Lieut.-Col. G. Balfour, CB,— Chairman ; Lieut.-Col. T. T. 

 Pears, C.B. ; J. D. Sim, Esq. ; H. Cleghom, Esq., M.D. — Reporter. 



Associates. — John Bohde, Esq.; Lieut. French; Mr Descharaps; Mr 

 G. "Williams. 



The importance of this section of the Exhibition can scarcely 

 be overrated in a country like this ; for it must be remembered 

 that the value of wood and timber here is not to be measured by 

 the estimation in which they are held in temperate climates. 

 Here, they are not only applied to those economic uses with 

 which we are all familiar, but they also furnish fuel to all classes, 

 supplying the place of that valuable mineral coal, which has not 

 yet been found in any quantity within the limits of the Presi- 

 dency. Besides this, the influence of trees on climate is very 

 considerable, tending as they do to prevent the too rapid with- 

 drawal of moisture from the soil — a point of great importance in 

 a country where the heat of the sun is intense — and the supply 

 of water is dependent only upon periodical falls of rain. 



The value of timber would be best shown by the vast extent 

 to which it is employed in the various purposes of life. It is 

 impossible to ascertain the amount used in this country ; but the 

 quantity of firewood alone imported by sea into Madras during 

 five years, is given below ; that for 1849-50 being estimated by 

 the military board to be equal to 12,000 tons. 



* The list of woods furnished in this Report is alphabetically arranged 

 according to the botanical names ; in 1860, Dr Wight prepared a similar 

 list alphabetically, arranged also, but according to Tamil nomenclature ; it 

 is of great value, and is referred to here. 



