THE TEAK-TREE. 155 



immense forests exist in our Eastern domi- 

 nions. 



The teak possesses great majesty and 

 beauty^ as a tree. Its leaves are nearly two 

 feet in lengthy and its beautiful flower some- 

 what resembles that of the mahogany. ' On 

 the banks of the river Irrawaddy^ in the Bir- 

 man country^ the teak forests are unrivalled. 

 They rise so far above the jungle^ or brush- 

 wood^ by which tropical forests are usually 

 rendered impenetrable^ that they almost seem 

 as if one forest w^ere upborne^ on gigantic 

 pillars^ over the top of another.' " 



