Iron in Ancient India c9.s3.23

c9.s3.23

As regards the particular kind of wood employed, the selection of *cassia auriculata* (from which catechu is obtained) and of the leaf of *convolvulus* may not be altogether an accident. It is possible that experience had taught the Indian workers the use of these two kinds of wood as affording suitable quantities of carbon and hydrocarbons to the iron so that the conversion of iron into steel could take place more quickly than with other kinds of wood.