XXI.] INDIAN TIMBERS. 213 



these trees are more valued for their fruits ; the same 

 applies to Anacardium occidentale, the Cashew Nut. 



Gluta travancorica, a tree of the ghats of Tinnevelly 

 and Travancore, yields a very beautiful dark red timber, 

 with fine markings and capable of taking a high polish. 

 Though very little used, it ought to make a splendid 

 furniture wood. 



Buckanania latifolia and Odina Wodier are allied 

 species, also probably worth notice by the trade. The 

 same is true of the very ornamental, purplish-black 

 wood o{ Milletka pendula, and the mottled-brown wood 

 of Ongeinia dalbergioides. 



Erythrina suberosa is remarkable for its very soft 

 and light, almost pith-like wood. 



Other Indian Leguminosse worth noting are CcBsal- 

 pinia Sappan with very red timber, but not large ; 

 Bauhinia racemosa, scarcely known ; Tamarindus indica, 

 cultivated throughout India and Burmah and highly 

 prized for turning, &c., but hard to work. The same 

 applies to Hardwickia binata, a dark red wood of South 

 and Central India, and perhaps the hardest and heaviest 

 wood of the country. 



Acacia Arabica is one of the commonest trees 

 throughout India, and its pinkish to brown, hard, 

 mottled heart-wood is extensively used for all kinds of 

 purposes. If properly seasoned it is very durable ; but 

 as the trees are not large it cannot be obtained in 

 pieces of more than moderate dimensions. 



Acacia Catechu, a common tree of India, has been 

 used for sleepers, and one or two Australian species of 

 Acacia are planted. Albiszia Lebbek, A.procera, and A. 

 odoratissima are also used. 



Prunus Puddum, of Sikkim and the Himalayas, 

 probably deserves to be better known. Bucklandia 



