Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/156

136 THE PINGOW TREE is also found in the island of Borneo, where it is said to be plentiful. It is of straight growth and good dimensions, and yields timber of from 25 to 40 feet in length, and 11 to 18 inches square.

The wood is of a dark brown colour, hard, heavy, tough, rigid, and remarkably strong; it is straight in the grain, close in texture, and not difficult to work. It is used in Borneo for all the purposes to which the Chow is applied, except that, as the tree does not attain the same altitude, it will not furnish masts for any but the smaller junks. The characteristic properties of the Pingow are favourable to its introduction for any purpose where great strength is required; and, of the sample logs brought to this country in 1860–61 and at subsequent dates, the whole were passed either to Woolwich Dockyard or to the out-ports, to be employed in ship-building.

—All broke short.