I82 



fertilized by flies the roar of whose wings can often be heard from 

 the base of the tree when in flower. The flowers are green, and 

 produce a circular flat pod covered with thorns, and containing one 

 flat round dark brown seed, with a waxy reddish yellow^ aril half as 

 large and oblong at the base. This aril is eaten by rats who carry 

 about the seeds thus. The tree fruits heavily and seed is readily 

 procurable and germinates well, like all good timbers. Saputi is a slow 

 though steady grower. The wood though it does not appear to be 

 very well-known to timber dealers should be as good at least as 

 Merabau and it seems actually harder. It seems well worthy the atten- 

 tion of foresters. The tree occurs all over the Peninsula from 

 Singapore as far north as Bangtaphan in Siam at least. 



Balau. This timber was formerly reckoned one of the most valuable 

 and durable in the peninsula, but of late it has been noticed that the 

 timber sold under that name is by no means as valuable, not lasting 

 for more than half as long as the old Balau of the trade. 



The original Balau was a tree belonging to the order Rosaccae 

 and known as Pygewn ohlongifoliiwi Hook-fil. An account of this timber 

 and the tree was published in the first volume .of the Bulletin, new 

 series p. 144, where the difference between the two timbers known by 

 the name Balau is pointed out. 



As there noted the Balau of the present day, which still comes 

 from the East Coast of Pahang, whence to a large extent the original 

 timber came, is not a Parinarium nor does the plant in the least 

 resemble one but is a species oi Shore a {Dipterocarpaceae.) On several 

 occasions leaves of the modern Balau have been sent by forest 

 oflicers but leaves alone are useless generally in identifying speci- 

 mens. Recently, however, Mr. Sanger Davies has been able to procure 

 specimens of the flowers of one species called Balau Bukit and unripe 

 fruits of Balau Betul. 



More complete specimens are required of the ripe fruit of both 

 and flowers of the latter species, but the materials are sufficient to 

 give an idea of the plants and their relationships to other species. 

 Both plants are certainly closely allied together and belong to undes- 

 cribed species, so I give as complete a description as I can from the 

 materials. 



Shorea coUina, n.sp. Balau Bukit. 



A big tret- with black branchlets. leaves oblong, shortly cuspidate 

 base rounded, above smooth grey when dry, beneath cinnamon bnwn. 

 nerves ten pairs elevated beneath with net-like conspicuous reticula- 

 tions, made 5 inches long 2 inches across, petiole black rather stout 

 l}4 inch long. Panicle of flowers rather lax 3 inches long. Rachis 

 covered with minute stellate hairs. Flowers shortly pedicelled 

 sepals orbicular ovate white silky, fringed with longer hairs on 

 the edge. Petals oblong linear obtuse twisted half an inch long 

 the outside white silky, inside glabrous stamens 20 small, outer 

 ones with a broad oblong filament, anther elliptic with a single 



