8 Indian Forest Records. [Vol. Vt 
wounded. This oleo-resin can be used pure or adulterated as a thick 
coating of black varnish which can be applied both to outdoor and indoor 
structures ; the wood so treated is stated to become proof against termites 
and fungi, due presumably to the extremely hard surface of the varnish 
when dry. It is used for caulking boats and as a non-fouling paint; it is 
also reported to preserve wood from teredo attack for twenty years. 
An experiment is now being carried out to see whether timber so treated 
is really proof against attack. Its chief use is for Burmese lacquer work, 
of which it forms the principal constituent. The lacquer work of Burma 
is well known, and lacquered articles are found in nearly every household 
of that country. The articles now made are usually betel-boxes, cups, 
trays, small tables, boxes, vessels for monks’ food, etc., and articles such 
as cigar-cases and walking-sticks are made for sale to Europeans. 
Thitsi, again, is used as a coating upon surface intended to be gilded 
with gold-leaf. 44 For this it would seem to be not only a valuable, but 
also an indispensable, commodity in a country abounding, as Burma 
does, in temples, pagodas, shrines, and monasteries. The spires, 
minarets, facades, and decoctions of these and other sacred structures 
are frequently completely 'gilded with gold-leaf. 
Among the less known of the special uses to which the oleo-resin 
is applied in Burma is the embossing of the enamel-like ornamental 
letters that adorn the exquisite palm-leaf Pali boxes of the religious 
Orders of the country* Again, for the delicate ornamentation of the 
borders of the head-dress and the hem of the folded robe of the Buddha, 
as delineated in the beautiful alabaster figures of that great <4 Giver 
of Light and Life” the oleo-resin is largely requisitioned.” (A. M. S. 
in Capital, 5-3-08.) 
Interest in the Chinese and Japanese lacquer varnish, obtained from 
the tree Rhus vernicifera , was aroused in Europe fully two hundred years 
ago, but it was not until half a century after this that attempts were 
made to ascertain the source of Siamese or Burmese varnish, which was 
considered to be inferior to that obtained from China and Japan. 
The discovery of the varnish tree of the Burmese by Dr. Wallich 
is referred to in the Asiatic Journal, Volume 25 of 1828, page 454. 
Although this varnish is* so well known in Burma, yet it is practi¬ 
cally unknown in Europe, as its use has hitherto been restricted to a 
special class of work. 
Various attempts have, however, been made during the last two 
years to introduce it on the European market. The success has not 
been great, but the substance of a report received from the Director, 
Imperial Institute, London, is given below :— 
4 4 A second firm reported that they considered the material to be 
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