LlST OF WOODS. 217 



by the Military Board. A duplicate of this collection is lodged 

 in the United Service Museum, London ; and a list of the speci- 

 mens is given in the Jury Beports: of the London Exhibition of 

 1851. The jury would submit, with reference to this well-known 

 collection, that as many of the specimens are of sapwood, it does 

 not in all cases furnish a fair criterion whereby to test and identify 

 subsequent collections. The jury would, in conclusion, briefly 

 notice some siDgle specimens of peculiar merit. 



The first is a very large plank, contributed by Capt. Cunning- 

 ham of the Mysore Commission, obtained from Michelia Ghampaca 

 (Sumpagi). The extraordinary dimensions (length 11^ feet, 

 breadth 4J feet, thickness 3 inches) which the tree assumes, 

 though rarely, and the ornamental character of the wood, are 

 well shown in this specimen, which may with justice be declared 

 unique. The jury, considering the rarity of such a specimen, 

 together with the expense and difficulty of the preparation and 

 transmission, beg to recommend that a 2d class medal be awarded 

 to Capt. Cunningham. The second specimen referred to is a 

 large and well-seasoned plank of Moulmein teak, contributed by 

 H. W. Porteous, Esq. (dimensions, 10J feet in length, 3f feet in 

 breadth, 1\ inch thick), to whom the jury feel indebted for one 

 of the finest individual specimens contributed to the collection. 

 It must not be supposed that timber of such dimensions as the 

 two above mentioned is often procurable ; but the specimens are 

 valuable, as showing what magnitude these trees can attain under 

 favourable circumstances. 



Another specimen which the jury would notice is a slab of 

 kyabuka wood, imported from Singapore, and exhibited by J. 

 Sanderson, Esq. A small portion is polished, and shows well 

 the highly ornamental appearance of the timber in its marking. 

 The specimen exhibits the very knotty character and curly fibres 

 of the wood, from which pieces of even a foot square, free from 

 flaws, can rarely be obtained. The botanical name of the tree is 

 believed to be " Pterospermum Indicum." The jury remark also 

 two specimens of a rare wood, marked " Sassafras," from Mergui. 

 The wood is fragrant, and contains an essential oil of value in 

 medicine (Sassafras officinalis). 



Another fragrant wood, the " aguil," contributed by M. Nursing 



