DIPTEROCARPUS TURBINATUS. Shweta-garjan, . . BENG. I llora-gaha, . . . SINGH. Ka-nyin, . . , . Bumf.
A native of Chittagong, Tiperah, Pegu, etc., to the eastward of Bengal, where it grows to be an in3inense tree, and is famous all over the eastern parts of India and the Malay Islands, on account of its thin liquid balsam or Nvood-oil. To procure this balsam, a large notch is cut into the trunk of the tree about 30 inches from the ground, where a fire is kept up until the wood is charred, soon after which the liquid begins to ooze out. A small vutter is cut in the wood to conduct the liquid 0 into a vessel placed to receive it. The average produce of the best trees during the season is said to bo sometimes forty gallons. It is found necessary every week to cut off the old charred surfaces and burn it afresh. In large healthy trees, abounding in balsam, they even cut a second notch in some other part of the tree, and clear it as at first. These operations are performed during
the months of November to February. Should any of the trees appear sickly the folloNving season, OD° or more years' respite is given them.
This is the mdst superb tree to be inet with in the Indian forests. It is conspicuous for its gigantic size, and for the straightness and grace ful form of its tall unbranched pale-grey trunk, and small symmetrical crown. Many indivi duals are upwards of 200 feet high, and 15 in girth. Its leaves tire broad, glossy, and beautiful ; the flowers are not conspicuous ; the wood is light-brown, hard, close-grained, and durable, and fit for any purpose for Nvhich sal is employed, and is chiefly employed for canoe and boat build p. 612 ; Rohde's 31S.5.; Hooker, lhm. Jour. p. 348 ; 111`Clelland.