109(5 Report on the Timber Trees of Bengal [Nov. 



Pegue Teak were almost of the same strength, but are far surpassed by 

 the Malabar Teak. Captain Baker's experiments, which will be constantly 

 referred to, were carried on with specimens of wood two inches square 

 and 6 feet long. In these trials the average weight, required to break 

 the Malabar Teak, was 10/0 ibs. whilst the other kinds broke with an 

 average of 870 ibs. The extremes in these trials are very remarkable, 

 indicating a very great difference in the value of different specimens of 

 the same timber. The specimen from Rangoon, breaking with 654 ibs. 

 and another from Malabar required 1162 ibs. Teak will not bend so 

 much as Sal or Soondree, and breaks with about the same weight as 

 Sal. It is therefore easy to determine for what purposes Teak is best 

 adapted. It is used, as is well known, for an infinite number of purposes 

 in India. The experiment made by Capt. Baker, differs much from 

 the results of Major Campbell's experiment at Cossipore, as detailed in 

 the Transactions of the Society of Arts. The Malabar specimen seems 

 to have been a bad one, but as many of the other specimens were from 

 unseasoned wood, they are not so much to be depended on. 



2. Ghumbar, Gomar or Ghumbarre — Gmelina arborea, Linn. 

 — This belongs to the same natural family as the Teak, and is indeed 

 very closely allied to that wood in appearance, with the grain rather 

 closer, although much inferior in strength and elasticity. The best 

 specimen broke with Capt. Baker, with 580 ibs. and the worst with 

 500. It is a common tree in most parts of India, generally found on 

 hills about 2000 feet in height. It also grows in the Soonderbunds. 

 The timber is supposed to resist water and worms better than Teak. 

 As it will not bear much stress, it is commonly used for light work, 

 such as the cylinders of drums, carriage panels, decks of budgerows, and 

 turnery. Although more durable than many woods, and not subject to 

 warping, it can scarcely be called a valuable timber, and from its resem- 

 blance to Teak, might be used in mistake for that wood, where serious 

 consequences would ensue. 



3. Dhamum or Dangan. — This was discovered by Mr. Griffith 

 to be an undescribed species, and was called by him Hemigymnia mac- 

 leodii. Of the same order with the Teak, it is very dissimilar in its 

 great elasticity. I am not aware of any other locality for its growth 

 than the forest about Sconie, between Jubbulpore and Kamptee. The 

 tree has a peculiar appearance, and can be distinguished at a long dis- 



