88 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
the majestic Mora, the king of the forest. Rising to the height of 
from sixty to ninety feet before it gives out branches, it towers over the 
wall-like vegetation which skirts the banks of the rivers of Guiana, 
formiug a crown of the most splendid foliage, overshadowing numerous 
minor trees and shrubs, and hung with Lianas in the form of festoons. 
'The Mora, of all other trees of the forests of Guiana, is peculiarly adapt- 
ed for naval architecture; and it is to be found in such abundance, 
that if once introduced for building material into the dockyards, there 
can never be any apprehension there would be a want of that timber 
which could not be supplied. The wood is uncommonly close-grained, 
and gives scarcely room for a nail when driven into it; when cleared 
of sap it is durable in any situation, whether in or out of the water. 
With this property it unites another of equal consideration to builders : 
it is strong, tough, and not liable to split, las never been known to be sub- 
ject to dry-rot, and is considered therefore by the most competent judges 
to be superior to Oak and African Teak, and to vie in every respect 
with Indian Teak. The full-grown tree will furnish logs from thirty to 
forty, or even fifty feet in length, and from twelve to twenty-four inches 
square, taken from the main stem, whilst the remaining portions are 
suited to various purposes of naval architecture: such, for instance, as 
keels, keelsons, stern-posts, floors, ribs, beams, knees, breasts, backs, etc.” 
Thus wrote Sir Robert Schomburgk fifteen years ago (Transactions 
of the Linnzan Society, vol. xviii. p. 207): and, in the same volume, 
that there might be no difficulty of distinguishing the tree in the search 
for it in other countries, Mr. Bentham, from specimens sent by Sir 
. Robert, published an excellent figure and botanical history, under the 
.. mame of Mora excelsa : for it had previously no place in botanical works. 
. It belongs to the Natual Order of Leguminose, and to the same group 
or section as the well known Cassias. Yet it does not appear that 
the attention of any of our authorities or travellers has been directed 
to the commercial importance of this tree, till very recently. The same 
tree has been found to prevail in certain localities of the island of 
Trinidad. We are enabled to give publicity to the following important 
particulars, by the kindness of the Right Honourable Sir George Grey, 
.. Chief Secretary for the Colonies, who received the following letter from 
— Governor Elliot, dated :— 
E “Government House, Trinidad, Sept. 9, 1854. 
‘By this mail I have had the honour to forward to Sir James 
Graham, two specimens of Mora timber, taken from the fringe of a 
