believed to be plentiful in Siam,[1] and is found on several of the islands in the Indian seas.
The Teak is a deciduous tree, and prefers shelter to bring it to the greatest perfection. It is of straight growth, and is remarkable for its large drooping leaves, which are from 10 to 20 inches in length, and from 8 to 15 inches in breadth. It frequently attains the height of 80 or 100 feet, with a circumference of from 6 to 10 feet, and yields timber in the log 23 to 5° feet in length and 10 to 30 inches square, these being the sizes commonly shipped to this country.
The wood varies from yellow or straw to a brownish colour; is moderately hard and strong, clean, even, and straight in the grain, and is easily worked; it shrinks very little in seasoning, and has no shakes upon the outer surfaces of the log. It will split, however, unless care is observed in applying the fastenings when brought into use. The quality of the timber depends very much upon the locality in which it is grown, and is exceedingly variable. Teak wood contains a resinous oil which clogs its pores and resists the action of water, and it often oozes into and congeals in the shakes which radiate
- ↑ Since the foregoing was written, a sample of about 200 loads of Teak timber, the produce of Siam, has been imported into London from Bangkok (1873). In dimensions it compared favourably with the Burmah Teak, was quite straight, and of a pale yellowish colour, plain in the grain, moderately hard, and apparently of about the same specific gravity. As a parcel, however, it was faulty at the pith or centre, in having most injurious heart and star-shakes, only about 20 per cent, of the logs being fit for conversion into plank or board; the remainder, owing to the defects referred to, could only be profitably employed in bulk, or reduced to scantlings, which would involve a heavy loss.
The sound and solid wood in the logs, however, was very good; and I am of opinion that if the timber is only carefully sorted over at Bangkok, good shipments might be made for the London market.
