LIST OP WOODS. 227 



and laths ; when of good age, the timber is very valuable for 

 this purpose ; the trunk is split into 4 for rafters, into 8 for laths ;, 

 these are dressed with an adze. Jaffna Palmyras are famous, 

 and were largely imported in former times. From the structure 

 of the fibres, it splits easily in the direction of its length, but 

 supports a greater cross strain than any other wood : iron nails, 

 however, rust rapidly in it. The fruit and the fusiform roots oi 

 the young trees (in the N. Circars) are used as an article of food 

 by the poorer classes. The leaves are used for thatching and 

 coarse fibre. Jaggery and toddy are extracted from the tree, the 

 former is extensively used in the manufacture of sugar in Vizi- 

 anagram and Eajah mandr. Very neat baskets of Palmyra leaf 

 are exhibited from Tinnevelly. (Wight, No. 69 ; Hort. Garden, 

 73 ; Travancore, Masulipatam.) 



32. Briedelia spinosa. Mullu venge, Tarn. — "Wood not known 

 in Madras ; the tree is not uncommon, and attains a considerable 

 size in the hill jungles. (Wight, No. 46 ; Travancore.) 



33. Buteafrondosa. Palas, Sans. Dhak, Hind. Porasam, Tarn. 

 Thorus-mara, Can. Moduga chettu, Tel. — A common tree thriv- 

 ing well in many parts of the country ; flower deep red, used as a 

 dye. The field of Plassey took its name from this tree. (Wight, 

 No. 82; Coimbatore; Hort. Gardens, 67; Bangalore, 62; Palghat, 

 35.) 



34. Ccesalpinia coriaria, the Divi-divi. — The tree was intro- 

 duced from seed supplied by Dr Wallich, about 20 years ago ; the 

 pods are collected with care, being valuable for tanning purposes.* 

 (Hort. Gardens, 26.) 



35. Ccesalpinia sappan. The Sappan tree. Patange, Hind. 

 Tsiapangam, Vatangi, Tarn. — Used for dyeing ; cultivated in Pal- 

 ghat, for the purpose of dyeing the straw used in mat-making 

 (Wight) ; from its high price for this purpose, not used for car- 

 pentry. (Wight, No. 104; Coimbatore, Travancore, Tanjore, 

 Kadapa, Goa.) 



36. Calophyllwm inophyllum. Alexandrian Laurel, Eng. 

 Pinne-maram, Tam. Wuma-mara, Can. Ponna chettu, Tel. — 

 A beautiful tree with an appropriate name, very common ; a good 



* For particulars of profitable culture see J'aur. Agr. Hart. Soc. Ind., 

 vols, iv. and v. 



