Abstract
The aim of this project was to provide basic information on a variety of timbers, required by wood anatomists/technologists and others to whom wood is a research or study medium. The specific objectives were to: (a) establish and maintain an identified collection of wood specimens and (b) prepare and maintain authentic microscope studies of the wood specimens collected from Kerala. The total number of wood specimens collected as on 31 December 1989 is 567, of which 113 are kerala timbers representing 68 genera with 94 species. The rest are from ten foreign countries. Microscope slides are also maintained for Kerala timbers to serve the purpose of reference in wood structural studies