15 
the Exhibition, and now form a feature in the timber collections at Kew. 
Many of these woods unfortunately had no scientific names, such, for 
instance, as t 
illian or Battin Iron Wood. —It is very hard and heavy, exceedingly 
strong and tough, “ proving,” Mr. Ransome says in his report, “ more 
“ than 50 per cent. stronger than English oak in resisting a breaking 
“ strain. . It is proof against the teredo and white ant, and 
“ is conseque ently i in great demand for wharf piles and planks in the 
‘¢ Straits Settlements and Chi This wood should be largely imported 
“ into England, as it could be Bak at the London Docks with a 
“ profit at 3s. 6d. a cubic foot, and might take the place of green- 
« heart and teak for many of the purposes for which those woods are 
loyed.” 
Sumatra or Borneo omaa Wood ee ee hear nse i —- 
of t 
This wood is remarkable as being the source well known 
Suma pb Camphor, which is fide crystallised, often in “tre masses, 
in interstices of the wood. It is not so volatile as ordinary camphor, 
and is harder and more brittle. The Chinese use it in preference to the 
camphor of commerce, ae is a product of their own country. Th 
wood i m2 = a dark brown colour, hard, and heavy. 
Mirabou (Afzelia palant —This is a strong and durable wood, 
with a sick brownish figure. It somewhat resembles tea in grain, and 
is well adapted for furniture and cabinet work, as it rile well and 
takes a good polish. 
The other woods received at Kew are— 
are woods of more or less value. Besides these, various samples | 
Gutta-percha, and some remarkably fine specimens of Dipterocarpeous 
Resins, were presented to Kew by the British North Borneo Company. 
BRITISH GUIANA. 
The most striking exhibits obtained from this Colony were the 
two magnificent squared trunks, most liberally purchased and presented 
to the Royal Gardens by Everard im Thurn, Esq., Stipendiary 
inches square and 70 feet long. Greenheart is one of the most durable 
woods known. It is used oe — and other timbers of vessels, house 
framing, mill timbers, wharves, &c., and the bark is the source of 
the well known alkaloid Beobertne: used as a tonic and febrifuge. Th 
Mora is also a very large tree, growing to a height of 200 feet and 
squaring 24 inches. The wood is extremely strong and durable, and is 
used for ship and house building, furniture, &c. The bark is astringent, 
t 
Sigs th. 
Besides these two logs, the Museum is also indebted to Messrs. Park 
and Cunningham, of Georgetown, Demerara, for a set! of 25 selected 
i The i is 
mens of na oods. other products obtained from thi 
Court included and tains. Ochro seeds (Hibiscus 
e tus). Preserved Tamarinds ( Tamarindus indica). D el 
rs (Hibiscus Sabdariffa of Ormosia dasycarpa.. Rubber 
