very like, is found in Mysore. Two or three species are found in Goomsoor forming extensive forests,
and affording to the inhabitants Incense, Dammer, and Wood oil. The imperfect descriptions
of Dr Maxwell and Captain McPherson, (Madras Journal of Science Nos. IS and 19) t(>
whom we are indebted for this information, does not enable me to determine the species, nor
with certainty the genera, but judging from imperfect specimens collected by the former of these
gentlemen, one of them belongs to Roxburgh’s genus Shorea, apparently his S. robusta, what
the others may be, I am unable to form even a conjecture.
Both the authors mention Chloroxylon Dupada as being one of them, but this I think
must be a mistake, originating in a statement of Dr. Ainslie, that that is the botanical name
given to the Indian Dammer tree by Dr. Buchanan, but which, was an error of his, arising from
his not being aware that several trees produce Dammer and that his Chloroxylon Dupada was
already described by Linnaeus under the generic name of Vateria. The specimens sent unquestionably
do not, belong to that genus, but as the inflorescence is in a very yopng state and there
is no fruit, I do venture to say what they are, though 1 suspect them to be Roxburgh’s Shorea
robusta. From Ceylon the only ones I have seen are a species of Dipterocarpus ( D. lurr
binatus) and a new species of Vateria.
P roperties and Uses. These are various and important. Almost every species of the
order abounds in balsamic resinous juice, in very general use in every part of India, and well known
to Europeans under the common English names of Dammer, and Wood oil, according as it
hardens or remains fluid on exposure to the air. That drawn from the Shoreas or Vaticas and
Vaterias hardens and forms Dammer, and Piney, that from Dipterocarpi retains its fluidity, and is
the Wood oil, of the bazaars. Some of the species produce a fragrant resin, which is burnt in the
temples as Incense. Dammer is used in India for most of the purposes to which pitch and rosen
are applied in Europe. Wood oil either alone, or thickened with dammer, supplies a common,
but useful, varnish fop wood, possessing the valuable property of, for a long time, repelling
the attacks of white ants, as well as of resisting the influence of the climate. The Camphor tree of
Sumatra is a species of Vatica, (Shorea camphorifera, Roxb.) and produces the finest camphor.
A variety of other trees are said to afford this curious substance, but none equal to this, either
in quality or quantity. The Vateria lndica (Chloroxylon Dupada, Buchanan and Ainslie, and
Pinne marum of the Hindoos) produces a resin, resembling Copal, much finer than that procured
from the other species natives of India, the finer specimens of which are as transparent as amber,
and nearly colorless. It is procured by the very simple process of cutting a notch in the tree, sloping
inwards and downwards. This is soon filled with the juice, which in a short time hardens by
exposure to the air. When used as a varnish the usual practice is to apply the balsam Before it
has become hard : but when that is not propurable the resin melted by a slow heat and mixed
with boiling Linseed oil forms a varnish which answers equally well for most purposes.
As this yarnish is of the finest description the following formula for its preparation may
prove useful to some who are unacquainted with the process. Into a new and perfectly
clean earthen vessel (a chatty) put one part of the Piney dammer, in coarse powder
cover closely, and apply a very gentle heat until the whole is melted ; then add about
two parts of linseed oil, nearly boiling hot, and mix well with a wooden spathula. Should the
varnish prove too thick it can at any time be reduced by the addition of more oil, or if required
may be made thicker in the first instance.
It is essential to the success of the process that the Piney be melted in a covered vessel over
a very slow fire, and the whole of it reduced to a fluid before the addition of the oil,which must,
to ensure an equal mixture, bp nearly boiling hot. This varnish is used for carriages and other
fine furniture requiring to have theif paint well protected, or to which it is desirable tp impart
a fine gloss.
A spirijb varnish is prepared by reducing to powder about six parts of Piney and one of
Camphor, and then adding hot 'alcohol sufficient to dissolve the mixed powder. Alcohol does
not dissolve Piney without the aid of the Camphor, bpt once dissolved will retain it in solution.
The varnjsh thus prepared is employed for varnishing pictures,, ^tc., but before being used
requires to be gently heated to evaporate the Camphor, which otherwise will produce by it*
after evaporation a roughness and inequality on the surface of the picture, and spoil its appearance;
' ,
In addition to these more common applications of Piney, it is, on the Malabar cotast, made
into candles. These diffuse, in burning, an agreeable fragrance, give a fine clear light, with
little smoke, and consume the wick so as not to require snuffing. For making them the fluid
resin may either be run into moulds, or when yet soft and pbable, in course of hardening, be
rolled into the required shape. Some of these candles that were sent home, were highly prized,
and sold for very high prices, but the protective duties on made candles, imported into Britain,
is so high, as to amount to a prohibition, and put a stop to this trade. The crude Piney is
however still sent for the purpose of being manufactured at home.
The medicinal properties of Camphor are too well known to require notice here, and those
of Dammer are as yet but little known. The late Dr. Herklots directed attention to a native
remedy for Berriberri Chloroxylon, black or Liniment the basis of which is Dammer, and gave
a formula for its preparation, which has been published by Mr. Malcolmson page 328 of his essay
on Berriberri. Both these gentlemen recommend it as a useful auxiliary in the treatment
of this most fatal disease. Of its merits, I am unable to speak from personal knowledge, as I
have never seen it used, nor indeed have ever seen the medicine, but Mr. Malcolmson seems to
think it preferable to the liniments in general use, among us, for most cases requiring that kind
of stimulus.
As nearly all the plants belonging to this order are trees, among the most majestic of the
forest, they are esteemed for their timber, as well as for their resinous juice, and the well-known
Saul, Shorea robusta Roxb. is considered by that eminent naturalist as only second to Teak, for
most purposes requiring a strong durable wood. As ornamental trees they merit much attention,
not only on account of their majestic size and handsome forms, but equally for the beauty of
their clustered flowers, and the richly colored wings of their curious fruit. Both the Hopea,
and Vatica Tumbugia (see leones) are found in the vicinity of Madras, and might, I presume, be
easily introduced into our gardens, where I have no doubt they would be much admired.
Whether the Piney from Malabar would equally succeed is doubtful, but it is well deserving of
a trial, since it is scarcely exceeded in beauty by any other tree.
R emarks on the G enera and Species. The genera of this order are few in number, and
generally agree so nearly in their distinctive characters that one is almost led to doubt whether they
ought all to be retained. Dr. Lindley enumerates .five, four of which are Indian. These may
be thus distinguished. In Vateria, all the sepals more or less enlarge with the fruit, but do not
form membranous wing-like appendages. In Hopea and Dipterocarpus, two of the sepals
enlarge, and become dry scariose wings : the former is further distinguished by having 10
compressed filaments adhering to the base of the corolla and 15 short anthers, each alternate
filament bearing two anthers, to which may be added as supplementary characters, the nearly
sessile secund small flowers, greatly twisted aestivation, and union, at the base, of the petals :
the latter, by having fewer and larger flowers, slightly twisted aestivation, and numerous
filaments, each bearing a single elongated anther. In Vatica Lin. (Shorea of Roxb. and
others) all the sepals, more or Less enlarge, and become wing-shaped ; the stamens vary much
in number, but are generally numerous. Dr. Arnott and I remark fW. and A. Prod.)
that Vateria lancecefolia Roxb. “ ought perhaps to form a distinct genus,” since then I have
received specimens of a very nearly allied species ( V. Roxburgii R. W. leones, No. 26)
a native of the Peninsula. From an examination of this plant I still feel disposed to adopt the
opinion then expressed, as there are points of difference, I think, of sufficient weight to separate
them, but on the other hand a slight modification of the generic character suffices to keep them
together, and as they essentially agree in the character of the calyx, both when in flower and in
fruit, and that being the organ from which the generic distinctions of the order are principallly
derived, I prefer leaving them in the genus, but forming for their more easy accommodation a
subgenus; a plan, in which I was happy to find myself anticipated {by Dr. Arnott, from whom, I
received while this was passing through the press, a synopsis of the genus so arranged. V.
ceylanica which I have added is exactly intermediate between his two subgenera, having the
elongated style and acute stigma of the one, and the stamens and axillary inflorescence of the
other. The fruit I have not seen, and the flowers not being full blown in the only specimen I
have examined, it is too imperfect to enable me to determine the point, but I think it probable
the species will, when better known, form the type of a third subgenus.
I mentioned above that Vateria indica was probably a native of Mysore. This opinion
Tests on some well executed drawings and specimens communicated by Mr. Apothecary Bertie*
I am indebted to Bertie for several very well executed drawings of plants and trust that my expectations of receiving many
n°t be disappointed. An accomplishment so rare among the members of his branch of the service merits public com