CHAP. XXL] PYENGADU. 203- 



upon the surface after the wood has been worked, leaving 

 a clamminess which cannot be completely got rid of until 

 the piece is thoroughly seasoned. This oily substance 

 has probably a preservative property about it, and may 

 be conducive to the durability of the timber, which is 

 very great. 



The Pyengadu was highly spoken of by the officers 

 at Moulmein, who supplied considerable quantities of it 

 to the Madras Government for the manufacture of gun- 

 carriages, and also for other purposes. Although it was 

 not extensively known then, it was a favourite wood in 

 the East for works requiring strength and durability, 

 and without doubt the samples I met with all looked 

 remarkably well, and seemed fit to be employed in any 

 work of construction where great strength is required. 



It is interesting to note that, subsequent to this, 

 Lieut.-Col. H. W. Blake, theXommissioner at Moulmein, 

 brought this wood to the notice of the Home Govern- 

 ment. He says : " It is one of the largest trees in Bur- 

 mah, and is called Ingazylocarva, a species of Acacia, 

 which combines in itself the properties of wood and iron, 

 and is therefore very appropriately called Iron-wood by 

 us and Pyengadu by the Burmans. It is heavier than 

 water and more indestructible than iron. There is a 

 piece of this wood which supported a Teak figure of 

 'Godama' taken from Rangoon in 1826, standing in a 

 lake near. The Teak figure has long since mouldered 

 away into dust, but at the pillar I fired a rifle shot, at 

 20 yards' distance ; the ball was thrown back, making no 

 penetration whatever. The wood seems hardened by 

 time and exposure, and it is also a fact that the teredo 

 will not touch it. The Burmans do not girdle and kill 

 this tree as they do the Teak, but fell and saw it up at 

 once, and refuse to work it in a dry state." 



