180 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
purple Papilionaeece and Convolmdacece , like the grotesque 
shrubbery cut out of boxwood, but with all the natural 
grace which is conspicuously wanting in Dutch gardens. 
No tree, however, was more abundant or brighter than 
the Lagerstroemia , whose fine red tops could be seen a 
long way off.” Lower down “ the Jambus ( Jambosa sp.) 
seemed to be among the most common trees, and their 
long white-stamened flowers falling on the w T ater glided 
down the stream like so many stars. The whole surface 
of the water was covered, absolutely in a close sheet, 
with petals, fruits, and leaves of innumerable species. . . . 
To recall the magnificent flora of the upper reaches of 
the river almost makes me retract the statement that 
the tropics present few flowers, for so blossom-spangled 
a road it would be difficult to match anywhere.” 
Erom many of these trees and plants economic pro¬ 
ducts of great value are obtained. Sumatra exports 
large quantities of gutta-percha, rattan, dammar, and other 
gums and resins. Dammar is chiefly collected from various 
species of the Dipterocarpece , some of which are trees of 
enormous size, which will yield nearly a hundred pounds 
weight of the resin. The “ eye-dammar,” which is the 
best description, and is that sent to Europe, is the exuda¬ 
tion from Hoped dryobalanoides , but the common “ stone- 
dammar,” used chiefly for paying the seams of vessels, 
is obtained from Vatica eximia , also of the order 
Dipterocarpece. Benzoin, the gum of Siyrax benzoin , is 
also collected in considerable quantities, together with 
catechu and other medicinal products. Recent travellers 
have remarked upon the reckless destruction of the forest 
by the natives, but bearing in mind the vast area of land 
known to be entirely covered by virgin forest, it is 
unlikely that any real injury will result for many years 
to come. 
