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and tapering; the leaf, like the narrow willow, shorter 
and delicately soft, with pendulous bunches of small 
flowers, sometimes white and sometimes red. It was 
supposed the white and yellow sandal-wood was the 
produce of different trees, but Miller denies this. When 
the Sandal has acquired some bulk, in common with 
most old Indian trees, it becomes coloured towards the 
centre, and this heart-timber, as it may be called, is 
the part most esteemed, not only on account of its 
tint, but also for its superior fragrance and durability; 
the exterior part being wliite and scendess. This inner 
wood is much used for cabinets and other ornamental 
furniture, and forms an article of great importance 
in oriental commerce. 
The Sandal is one of the sacred trees of the Hindoos. 
It is made frequent mention of by their ancient writers, 
both in poetry and prose. It is planted near their 
temples, and from its shavings and dust an aromatic 
oil is extracted, which, with other odoriferous offerings, 
is used by them in their sacrifices and religious cere¬ 
monies, particularly at the cremation of the bodies of 
the higher casts. An allusion to their dark idolatry at 
once casts a veil over — 
“ This gay profusion of luxurious bliss. 
This ponip of nature; ” 
v 2 
