244 
Indian Forest Records. 
[ VoL. I. 
not as a rule penetrate more than about half an inch into the heart- 
wood, but the sapwood is riddled by the borings and the heartwood 
usually shows the holes on its surface, which detract from the appear- 
ance and market value of a log. 
Experiments are now being made in the Andamans with a view 
to ascertain, if possible, how the attacks of this insect may be 
prevented. 
10. Natural Reproduction . — It has been stated above that under 
existing conditions Padouk reproduction is very rarely successful. 
Quite recently, however, a large number of self-sown Padouk seed- 
lings from 1 to 4 feet in height were discovered by the writer in a fuel 
coupe which had been felled over the previous year. 
The felling had been a very heavy one, in fact almost a clear felling, 
only a few of the more promising timber trees having been left standing, 
a dense growth of inferior soft woods had sprung up forming a canopy about 
8 to 10 feet high, and under this were found the seedlings of Padouk, 
all of which must have been a year old. It is doubtful if any of these 
seedlings would have survived unaided, and a heavy cleaning was made 
setting free their heads, and the result is at present most satisfactory. 
This would seem to indicate that heavy fellings in Padouk forest 
often result in a crop of seedlings which with subsequent assistance 
might suflhce to regenerate that forest as regards Padouk. 
Unfortunately owing to the scattered position of the Padouk trees 
and to the fact that there is very little demand for the inferior species, 
these latter are not as a rule felled, and the holes in the canopy resulting 
from the felling of single trees here and there do not appear to be suffi- 
cient. The clearings, to be effective, should be larger in extent and it 
is essential that the seedlings, once they have sprung up, should receive 
periodical assistance or they will be suppressed by their more vigorous 
and more shade-enduring neighbours. 
