PAU, CAN. Bru pottu, . . TAM.
Slum, Bitl-manu . .
Simon, Sit Sal, . Iruguilu cl*itu, This is a commercial term for several dark coloured timbers, and every locality has a wood which is known by this name. The timber known in Britain as East Indian blackwocxl la from the Dalbergia latifolia of the Malabar coast, where it grows to All immense size. The wood of the trunk and largo branches is extensively used for making furniture; it is heavy, sinking In water, close-grained, of a greenish-black colour, with lighter coloured veins running in various direc tions, and takes a fine polish. Bombay account wood, however, is probably the timbers of Dalbergia latifolia and D. sissoides, brought from Cochin and other places lower down on the Mala bar coast. It sells for about the same price as teak. It is a brittle, open-grained wood, not at all a favourite with cabinetmakers of England, where the highest prices ever realized for it in the state of log were about £10 per ton. The principal furniture-dealers in Bombay are Parsecs, mostly from Gujerat. The pattern meant to ho carved is first carefully drawn on paper ; then on the wood. The tools used are the native adze, chisel,
and drill ; the centre-bit and other tools of Eng lish pattern, from which so much assistance might be obtained, are never resorted to. The general design of the various pieces of furniture is mostly excellent, the patterns elegant and tasteful ; the finish for the most part is poor, the joinery always execrable. Concealed joints never seem to be thought of ; pins which might be kept out of view are made as conspicuous as posaible• and great clumsy screw-nails, which might, without trouble, be bid, are fully exposed to view. Con siderable quantities of blackwood furniture are sent to Britain annually by residents in Bombay for their own after use, or for the service of trim's. It is packed up without being jointed or polished, and is put together by English workmen, who, it is believed, think but lightly of its merits. The principal furniture shops in Bombay keep from five to ten workmen each, and probably turn out Ha. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 worth of furniture amongst them annually.