n8 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap.. 
loss. If, however, it is used in bulk, or in stout scantlings,, 
as for backing to armour-plates on ships, or in batteries,, 
or any similar works, it answers equally well with the 
Moulmein Teak, the risk being in attempting to reduce 
it into thin planks. The Rangoon Teak is straight, and 
yields a better average length of log than is to be found 
in those of the Moulmein district; the dimensions of the 
squares are, however, nearly alike. 
In Malabar, the largest forests of Teak trees are to 
be found upon the Annamallay hills, at an elevation of 
about 1,500 to 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. They 
consist, however, for the most part, of saplings and trees, 
past their prime, the most useful having been felled and 
removed long since, a few trees of excessively large 
growth only being left available for the purposes of 
commerce. 
The Teak grown on the Annamallay hills is subject 
to extensive heart and other shakes about the centre of 
the tree, and this involves great waste of timber, as only 
the flitches taken from the outside part are available for 
use. Attempts have been made to produce “ squares ” 
and “ planks ” by the use of the saw upon pits, and 
by machinery, but it was found not to answer ; the logs 
were, therefore, cleaved by wedges along the run of 
the heart-shake into two segments, and from these 
“squares” “planks” and various scantlings were pro¬ 
duced by the axe, quite clear of shakes. 
The Malabar Teak is very good in quality, and is 
generally darker in colour, denser, and a trifle stronger 
than Burmah Teak, when tested, one piece against 
another. But, as the trees are so much less useful on 
account of the defects before mentioned, it is probable 
the Burmah Teak will always have the preference for 
