i86 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



far inland to the countries occupied by the Shans, the 

 Karens, and the Chinese. Other forests stretch con- 

 siderably to the north, and there, upon some of the 

 undulating and mountainous districts, it becomes 

 dwarfed to a rather insignificant tree. Teak is also 

 believed to be plentiful in Siam,* and is found on several 

 of the islands in the Indian seas. 



The Teak is a deciduous tree, and prefers shelter to 

 bring it to the greatest perfection. In its natural state 

 it grows mixed with Bamboos and other trees. It is of 

 straight growth, and is remarkable for its large drooping 

 leaves, which are from lo to 20 inches in length, and 

 from 8 to 15 inches in breadth. It frequently attains 

 the height of 80 or 100 feet, with a circumference of 

 from 6 to 10 feet, and yields timber ,in the log 23 to 50 

 feet in length and 10 to 30 inches square, these being 

 the sizes commonly shipped to this country. 



The wood varies from yellow or straw to a brownish 

 colour ; is moderately hard and strong, clean, even, and 

 straight in the grain, and is easily worked somewhat 

 like oak, but very different in structure ; it shrinks very 

 little in seasoning, and has no shakes upon the outer 

 surfaces of the log. It will split, however, unless care is 



* Since the foregoing was written, a sample of about 200 loads of Teak 

 timber, the produce of Siam, has been imported into London from Bangkok 

 {1873). In dimensions it compared favourably with the Burmah Teak, was- 

 quite straight, and of a pale yellowish colour, plain in the grain, moderately 

 hard, and apparently of about the same specific gravity. As a parcel, how- 

 ever, it was faulty at the pith or centre, in having most injurious heart and 

 star-shakes, only about 20 per cent, of the logs being fit for conversion into 

 plank or board ; the remainder, owing to the defects referred to, could 

 only be profitably employed in bulk, or reduced to scantlings, which would 

 involve a heavy loss. 



The sound and solid wood in the logs, however, was very good ; and 1 

 am of opinion that if the timber is only carefully sorted over at Bangkok, 

 good shipments might be made for the London market. [Large quantities of 

 excellent Teak are now imported into England annually. — H. M. W.] 



