( 10 ) 
by the tin dredges at Taiping, and occasional large 
pieces are washed up on sand banks by the rivers. 
It is usually very impure material and is doubtless 
the remains, of trees which have disappeared. It is 
of low value and is used for little besides torches 
and to start fires. 
• 
Damar Torches. 
These are made by mixing decayed wood and 
bark chips with wood oil, or Minyak Keruing, and 
powdered low grade damars, wrapping this mixture 
in palm or ginger leaves in a cylindrical or slightly 
tapering package 1*4 to 2 feet long, and binding 
with split rattan. They are used to illuminate small 
houses in the jungle or are carried by bullock cart 
drivers to light their carts at night. Formerly, 
many of the houses of the poorer people were lighted 
by damars and the upper part of the house was 
often very much discoloured by the dark smoke. 
Nowadays these torches have, in many cases, been 
superseded by kerosine lamps. Many of the jungle 
people carry these torches about with them so that 
they can use them in starting fires for their cooking. 
Many of the damars make excellent fire lighters, 
which are very useful in a wet climate. 
TRADE IN DAMAR AND COPAL AT 
SINGAPORE. 
The following are the figures for the trade in 
these substances at Singapore for the years 1900 to 
1920 inclusive: — 
COPAL. Imports. Exports. 
Total amount — pikuls 1,994,408 2,403,867 
Total value $26,464,436 $36,073,141 
Average value per pikul $13.27 $15.01 
Nett gain in value $9,608,705 
