The forests of Siam contain many valuable timber-trees ; one which yields a considerable article of export, is called by the Siamese Wal deeg, or red-wood, end by the I'ortugueae Pao Rosa, or rose-wood, but it does not resemble the rose-wood used in Europe, though It is used In China, whither large quantities are exported for cabinet work. The teak-forests are very extensive, but all of them are in Laos, or north of le* N. 1st ; great numbers of teak-trees are floated down the Menem, when the river ie swollen, to Bangkok.
In Siam the elephant exists in the greatest perfection. The finest are found in the forest of Sophan, between IV and 15* N. let., west of Bangkok, but they inhabit every part of the kingdom. In Baeg kok their use is prohibited, except to a few persons of very high rank. In all other parte of the country they are freely employed, both for riding and as 'seats of burden, especially In Southern Laos, whose capital, Lanjang, takes its name from this circumstance, signifying ' the place of ten millions of elephants.' The number of wild elephants is very great, and they are regularly hunted on account of the government. White elephants are found occasionally; they are regarded with great veneration, and two or more are kept in a royal watt, or temple, and attended by a large band of priests. The person who succeeds In trapping a white elephant receives a considerable reward ; if the animal be a very fine one the reward is a handsome pension, which is continued to his descendants. The double-horned rhinoes roe is more frequently met with in Siam than in any other country : like the elephant it is hunted for its hide and horn, both of which are exported to China. The tiger is extremely common, though not equal in size to that of Bengal : his bones and akin con stitute a considerable article of commerce with China; the boners are used by the Chinese as a medicine. The black tiger is by no means rare. The skins of leopards, which are also very common, go to China. The true civet ( Yireera eiretta) is reared by the Siamese for its musk. The scaly skin of the pangolin (Mani. pentadaetyla) is sent to China, where it also appears to be used for its supposed medicinal virtues. There is also the orang-utan. There are seven different kinds of deer,among which the common stag (Cerra. Elephas),
the muutjsc, and the chevrotin (Notches mamas and Javenieus) are moat common. The buffalo is numerous In the alluvial tracts, where it is preferred to the ox for agricultural labour. Black cattle are more numerous in the more elevated districts, and are only kept for agricultural purposes, their milk being too trifling in quantity to be useful, and the slaughter of them is forbidden even to strangers.
But the numerous wild cattle which are found in many parts of the country are shot by professed huntsmen, for their hides, horns, bones, and flesh ; the flesh, after being converted into jerked beef, forms an article of trade with China. The horses of Siam are of a small kind, resembling our ponies. A small kind of goat is kept about the temples. Hogs are very numerous, both in a domestic and in a wild state. The lard, prepared with great care, is exported to the European settle ments in the neighbouring countries. Fowls in their wild state exist in the forests of Siam, and the common fowl is reared iu the lower countries. Common ducks are reared in great numbers by the Chinese, but geese are almost unknown. The peacock is common in the forests, and the feathers are exported to China. There are several species of pheasants and pigeons, and also of 'wading birds. The feathers of the kingfisher, the blue jay, the pelican, and several birds of the crants'and stork families, are sent to China. There are tortoises end crocodiles in the Menem, but they are not so common as in the Ganges. The green turtle (Testudo Midas) abounds on the islands along the eastern shores of the Gulf of Siam, and the eggs arc sent to Bangkok, where they are used for food. Lizards and serpents are numerous.
Fish are abundant, but generally of inferior quality ; several kinds however are dried and exported. Shrimps and prawns dried and prepared are an article of export under the name of balachang. The CoecaLs facers produces the dye or gum called lac in commerce. The lao of Siam is of very superior quality, containing a larger portion of colouring-matter than that of Bengal and of the Birman empire. It Is exported to China and the European settlements.