1098 Report on the Timber Trees of Bengal. [Nov. 



being upwards of 1,000, whilst Teak is about 720. The Camphor tree 

 of Sumatra is closely allied to the Sal. Two species of Dipterocar- 

 pus (of. the same family) under the native names of Mekai and Hoo- 

 lung, are mentioned by Capt. Hannay and Mr. Masters, as producing 

 fine timber in Assam. 



7. Toon-*— Cedrela toona, Roxb. This, with the Mahogany, Satin 

 wood, Rohunna and Chittagong wood, all belong to the same natural 

 family, Cedrelacece, affording very valuable timber. The Toon is a 

 favorite wood with the carpenters of India, and works out very prettily ; 

 the tree has a wide range in the Peninsula of India, and generally 

 throughout Nagpore, Bundlekund and the lower ranges of the Hima- 

 layas. It is a very beautiful tree, and now adorns the sides of roads in 

 every part of Bengal, particularly at Bhaugulpore and Monghyr. 800 

 ibs. broke the specimen used in Capt. Baker's trials, and its specific gra- 

 vity is 640. Captain Hannay describes three varieties of Toon in Assam, 

 under the names of Hindooree Pom a, and Seekha Poma, and says that 

 although light, when once seasoned, it is very durable, and some splen- 

 did boats are formed of it, particularly in the Dihong river where it 

 would seem to be in great abundance. It is mentioned by Lieut. Nuthall 

 as one of the woods of Arracan, under the name of Thit-ka-do. 



8. Mahoganv — Swietenia mahogani, Linn. — This of course is 

 only known in India in its cultivated state, and sufficient has been done 

 to show that it can be grown with great success. The Horticultural 

 Society are in possession of beautiful specimens that have been worked 

 up from trees grown in the Botanical Gardens, and which are supposed 

 to have been 43 to 44 years old, when felled. The cultivation of the 

 tree ought to be encouraged as much as possible in the lower hills, for 

 even in its native country the quality depends very much on the situa- 

 tion where the trees grow. On elevated rocky places, where there is 

 but little soil, the wood is always of a better grain and superior texture, 

 whereas in low alluvial situations, however vigorous and luxuriant the 

 plant may be, the quality of the timber is always inferior, more light 

 and porous, and of a paler color. Mahogany is said to be almost in- 

 destructible by worms or in water, and to be bullet-proof. Capt. 

 Franklin took with him to the polar seas boats of Mahogany as being 

 the lightest in consequence of the thinness of the planks, combined with 

 great strength. 



