MINE ECONOMICS. 59 



Benteak, Tam or Bandura, Kan. {Lagerstroemia lanceolata, 



Wall.) in logs and planks. The logs are used for roofing, 



door-frames, etc., and cost Ri- 12-0 per cubic foot, up to 22 



feet, and above 22 feet Ri-14-0 per cubic foot. The planks 



are used for doors and windows and cost from R 1-12-0 to 



R 2-4-0 per cubic foot. 



Pillamaradu or Pallumurdu {Terminalia paniculata^ Roxb.) in 



logs at 15 annas per cubic foot and in scantlings and planks at 



Ri-6-o per cubic foot ; used underground for shoots, sollars 



and ladder-sides, and on surface in construction work where 



not exposed to the sun. 



Other woods in use for general purposes are Ayni {Artocarpus 



Jitrsuta, Lamk.), Honne [Pterocarpus Marsupium, Roxb.), Tamarind 



[Tamarindus indica, Linn.), Dinduga (Anogetssus latifolia, Wall.), 



Kull-ponne, Kan, {Calophyllum Wightianum, Wall.). 



About 75 percent, of the timber used underground is Urupu and 

 lrul, the remainder being Casuarina, White Cedar, Ayni and Black 

 Matti. Urupu and lrul are preferred for sets, lagging, mine-props 

 and stull-pieces on account of their tough and durable qualities and 

 resistance to damp. Of the two Urupu possesses greater density, 

 strength, and stiffness, but both are somewhat deficient in elasticity 

 when subjected to heavy strain. Black Matti is a strong and useful 

 timber, but is said to be subject to dry rot, and Ayni, though light, 

 possesses toughness and elasticity, owing to its stringy texture. 

 Casuarina is a cheap wood which is tough and elastic but has no 

 lasting quality owing to its liability to dry rot ; it is consequently not 

 used much underground. White Cedar is used for sets and lagging. 

 The woods in use for construction purposes are Teak, White 

 Cedar, Pallumurdu, Benteak, Black Macti, and,Honne. Of these the 

 Teak, White Cedar, and Pallumurdu are the most serviceable. 

 Malabar Teak is a close and even-grained timber of glossy texture 

 and great strength. It is not attacked by white ants or by weather. 

 White Cedar and Pallumurdu are favourite woods for building 

 purposes, being tough and durable if not in exposed situations. 



