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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 6

Eagle-wood.—

Eagle-wood.—

The Forest Report for British Burma for 1876-77 contains an interesting account of this singular product, the Akyaw of the Burmese and Kayu-garu of the Malays. It is obtained from the islands in the Mergui Archipelago, of which it is the only valuable article of forest produce. Akyaw has been described as consisting of "lumps of hardened scented resin found imbedded in the trunk." But it is clear that this is not exactly the true state of the case, as the hardened masses are always composed of a basis of more or less decayed wood, the tissues of which are infiltrated with the resin. It is found in all parts of the trunk of the tree; and most frequently in the alburnum, but only where decay following intentional or accidental injury has attacked it. By artificially injuring the growing tree in a systematic manner the yield might probably be increased. It is generally believed to be produced by Aquilaria Agallochum, Roxb., but the native collectors state that there are two kinds of trees which furnish the Akyaw, but that the substance from both is identical. The great bulk of that which is collected is sent to Penang and Singapore and shipped from thence to China, where small pieces are used for torches, incense, and medicine. In the islands of the Mergui Archipelago it is estimated that 8,000 trees are cut down every year, and the extermination of the tree in all readily accessible places is only a question of time.