14. Wainád and Heggadevincotta Teak.-The forests on the borders of Mysore and Malabar are of great value, and stand second in importance. I went through part of these forests in company with Captain Pearse, superintendent of Astagram, which are about forty miles long by thirty broad, and believe that they will supply 2000 cart-loads annually (or, say 40,000 cubic feet of teak) without apparently injuring the resources of the forest. There being no cultivation, and a very scanty popu lation, and the timber consequently not being required for local purposes, I would strongly urge that this should be considered a reserved forest. From the situation and natural slope of the country, the timber must be carried eastward, and will be extremely valuable for military purposes in Bangalore. The new barracks there are being built of teak, and it is probable that this timber will come into use also to meet the increasing demand at Utakamand. It is much to be regretted that no means of transport exists by which the crooks and other naval timber found in this tract can be conveyed to the coast, where they would be extremely valuable. The expense of carriage by the usual route to Mysore and Manantoddy, and down the Peria Ghat to Tellicherry, is altogether prohibitory. The average price of teak at the quarterly auctions held at Mysore has been almost exactly the same as at Anamalai, about one rupee per cubic foot. I have experienced great difficulty in obtaining exact information as to the extent, tenure, revenue, and productions of this forest, on account of its being little frequented, from the fear of wild animals. In no place have I seen such abundant traces of elephants. However, the authorities at Astagram and Coorg, and the commissariat officer at Hoonsoor, all drew my attention to the waste of teak which occurs there, the timber being carted out in large quantities by three roads under the plea of passes from two Devasthanams, the limits of whose Enam land I have no means of ascertaining. A particular survey, well-drawn lines of demarcation between Mysore, Malabar, and Coorg, and an improved system of regulations, are required for placing this forest on a proper footing, and securing an uninterrupted supply of this valuable wood for the future. I think this duty would be best performed by an officer of energy and character, who would work well with the neigh

bouring authorities, and who would constantly traverse the forests (as was done at Anamalai by Captains Michael and Hamilton), till the system of robbery and spoliation is suppressed. I would also strongly urge the location of a European magistrate in the Wainád, who would enforce the observance of regulations, and see to the management of the roads, ferries, police, revenue, conservancy, &c., in that remote locality.*

15. Canara Teak. This timber generally is of smaller scantling than that of Wainád. It has the advantage of water-carriage to the coast not possessed by the two last, but it has for some years been chiefly obtained for naval purposes from the banks of the Black River, where it emerges from the Supah Hills, and the supply has gradually been sent down from more distant localities, as in Malabar, where the teak is now cut by the Terupad of Nellambur, just under the Nilgiri peak. Above the ghats in the Supah and Sundah talooks there is a very considerable supply of smaller wood suited for the engineer requirements at Belgam, Dharwar, Lingasugur, &c.

16. The Gund Forest.-This is the chief remaining reserve in Canara. I saw here several thousand trees on an elevated plateau with precipitous sides. The trees are well grown and ripe, conserved by their inaccessible position, which has been rarely visited by Europeans. The teak here is scarcely intermixed with any other tree (the Billi Nundee† excepted), and grows on slaty rock, in many places having very steep gradients. The early working of this valuable Gund forest is of the first importance, being much threatened with fire; some trees are already scorched at the root, and much dead wood lies in the forest. The question for consideration is, how to get out the wood ?—whether by a rocky nullah with at least three small falls, or by making a road twenty-three miles in length. This is a question I cannot venture to answer, but I may mention that the Collector Mr Fisher, and Dr Gibson, I believe, incline to improving the road, whilst Colonel A. F. Cotton and Lieutenant Taylor, Indian Navy, *The appointments of a magistrate and an assistant-conservator have been made, and the vigorous prosecution of the revenue survey is being carried out.

† Lagerstræmia microcarpa (Wight).,

recommend the blasting of the rocks in the nullah. I ordered an experiment to be made of floating twenty logs of junglewood, branded "Gund," at the height of the flood. These were despatched on a given day, but they never reached Sidashegur, having been caught in the rocky turnings of the river. The importance of removing the valuable teak of this forest at an early date is so great, that I would suggest that an engineer officer be deputed to visit and report. Captain G. W. Walker, engineer, shortly expected from England, is one of the few Europeans who have visited this remarkable place, and has, I am told, a knowledge of its requirements. If Government think proper to direct that officer to inspect this locality, Mr Müller would arrange to accompany him. As the Gund plateau is inaccurately delineated in the survey maps, I have the pleasure to forward a rough survey by my industrious assistant, Mr Müller, with the tracing of the roads he suggests for working this forest. I would recommend that it be lithographed, and a hundred copies struck off. When the forest is being worked, I have instructed Mr Müller to be present at the marking and girdling of the trees. I have reason to believe that proper classification and selection of the trees have not hitherto been made in the Government forests. First class trees-i.e., six feet in girth, and those commencing to decay, only, are to be removed at the first cutting.

17. Teak Plantations.—I visited the remains of small teak plantations at Honore, Ankola, and Sidashegur, which had been. superintended by Colonel Gilbert in 1804. The trees are poor specimens of teak, the soil is laterite, and the exposed situation of the sea-shore is most unsuitable-a worse locality could scarcely have been chosen. The only possible excuse for so grave a blunder is, that the peculiar requirements of the teak tree were not known in those days. Up the Black River at Tarra-Mallapur is a plantation of recent date. The late Mr Poulton commenced this in 1854. There are, I believe, 2000 remaining of 7000 trees put down.

18. Conolly Plantations.-The fine and promising plantations on the banks of the Nellambur River, which were commenced about fifteen years ago by the late lamented Mr Conolly, Collector of Malabar, are worthy of a full and separate report, which

will be a historical record of what can be effected by artificial means. These plantations will be an important source of supply in future years. They are under the immediate charge of Chatu Menon, a Nair, who conducted all the preliminary experiments under Mr Conolly's orders, and who has watched the young trees from the day of germination. I propose that two Duffadars should be sent, one to the Anamalais, and one to North Canara, to introduce the Conolly system of plantation into those districts.*

19. Poon Spars.†-These are becoming very scarce, and, consequently, are perhaps more valuable than teak. Young trees, especially such as are in accessible places, are most carefully preserved. Strict orders on this subject have been given in Coorg, Mysore, and Canara. In one case which came within my observation, several valuable spars were found in a bridge, the total estimate of which was 250 rupees. This incident will illustrate the importance of officers in the public works and telegraph departments, &c., making themselves acquainted with the description of timber available and suitable for their wants. I may also mention that the superintendent of Coorg has received several tenders for the supply of Poon spars and other timber at the distances of at least three miles from the Sulia River, showing the scarcity of such wood, and the readiness of the Mangalore contractors to carry it several miles to the nearest water carriage.

20. Blackwood.§-This valuable wood has risen much in price. Indents were received during the year both from Madras and Bombay gun-carriage manufactories, each for 5000 cubic feet. This tree was formerly given to applicants at three rupees each; but, with the concurrence of the collector of Canara, I have dis

*Since writing this, I find that the Nair subordinates are unwilling to leave their native place. One has been found ready to proceed to the Anamallais, but no one is willing to proceed to North Canara on any terms; therefore one of the Canara establishment will be detached for instruction to Nellambur.

† Calophyllum angustifolium. (Roxb.)

Several instances of the same kind have occurred.

Poon spars.

although highly prized for shipbuilding, are ill suited for making bridges. ? Dalbergia latifolia, L.

allowed this practice. There is not much blackwood remaining in the Anamalai forest, but there is a considerable quantity in the escheated forest of Chennat Nair, and it is abundant in the Wainád and Coorg. In consequence of its increasing value, I have given instructions for an experimental sowing this year at Nellambur.

21. Sappan wood.*-This important dyewood has engaged my attention. It appears to grow with great luxuriance in South Malabar, and is cultivated rather extensively by the Moplahs, who plant a number of the seeds at the birth of a daughter. The trees require fourteen or fifteen years to come to maturity, and then become her dowry. I saw more on the banks of the Nellambur River than anywhere else. Why it should be there in particular is not obvious, as Malabar is generally uniform in its character. A better system of cutting and cultivating the sappan is desirable; and the dyewood is damaged, I believe, by being allowed to float in salt water. The quantity raised is not great, but it grows without any care, and, from the facility of watercarriage to Calicut, I think that the district is very favourable for its extension. I sent a packet of seeds to Canara for experimental sowing on the banks of the Black River.

22. Sandal-wood.†-This tree has received much attention in Canara, Coimbatore, Salem, and a little in North Arcot. It would appear that its spontaneous growth has increased to a considerable extent; and it seems certain that, with the vigilant supervision of local officers, and slight assistance to nature in clearing the heads of young plants, which are often matted down by strong creepers, an addition might accrue to the revenue of these provinces. From information received from the late Assistant-Surgeon Drew, I was enabled to communicate to the commissioner of Mysore the existence of a large band of smugglers in an unfrequented path near the Carkur Pass, who were captured by the Mysore horse, to the number of seventy-eight, with the sandalwood tied on their backs. This seizure effectually stopped a long-continued system of robbery on the Malabar frontier.

23. Gutta-percha.-The "gutta-percha tree of the western coast," so called, has been traced from Coorg to Trevandrum. * Casalpinia sappan, L. † Santalum album, L.