This section is from the book "Spons' Mechanics' Own Book: A Manual For Handicraftsmen And Amateurs", by Edward Spon. Also available from Amazon: Spons' Mechanics' Own Book.
Berrya ammonilla (Trincomallie) weight, 50 lb.; elasticity, 3836; cohesion, 26,704 lb.; strength, 784 lb.; most valuable wood in Ceylon for naval purposes, and furnishes the material of the Madras Masoola boats; considered the best wood for capstan bars, crosstrees, and fishes for masts; is light, strong, and flexible, and takes the place of ash in Southern India for shafts, helves, etc.
Bignonia stipulata weight, 64 lb.; elasticity, 5033; cohesion, 28.998 lb.; strength, 1386 lb.; furnishes logs 18 ft. in length and 4 ft. in girth, with strong, fibrous, elastic timber, resembling teak; used in house-building, and for bows and spear-handles; one of the strongest, densest, and most valuable of the Burman woods.
Bombax heptaphyllum elasticity, 2225; cohesion, 6951 lb.; strength, 678 11).; light loose-grained wood, valueless as timber, but extensively used for packing oases, tea-chests, and camel trunks; and as it does not rot in water, it is useful for stakes in canal banks, etc.; long planks 3 ft. in width can be obtained from old trees.
Borassus flabelliformis weight, 65 lb.; elasticity, 4901; cohesion, 11,898 1b.; strength, 044 lb.; timber is very durable and of great strength to sustain cross strain; used for rafters, joists, and battens; trees have, however, to attain a considerable age before they are fit for timber.
Briedelia spinosa weight, 60 lb.; elasticity, 4132; cohesion, 14,801 lb.; strength, 892 lb.; strong, tough, durable, close-grained wood, of a copper colour, which, however, is Dot easily worked; employed by the natives for cart-building and house-beams, and is also used for railway-sleepers; lasts under water, and is consequently used for well-curbs.
Butea frondosa wood is generally small or gnarled, and used only for firewood; in Guzcrat, however, it is extensively used for house purposes, and deemed durable and strong.
Buxus nepalensis a very valuable wood for engraving, but inferior to the Black Sea kind of box in closeness of grain and in hardness.
Byttneria sp. weight, 63 lb.; elasticity, 4284; cohesion, 26,571 lb.; strength, 1012 lb.; wood of great elasticity and strength, invaluable for gun-carriages; used by Burmese for axles, cart-poles, and spear-handles.