Linneean Society. SOft 



tion at York, in October 1844 ; but as only a simple notice of this 

 reading had appeared in the Reports of the Association, the Secre- 

 tary (in whose hands Sir Robert Schomburgk had placed it) thought 

 it desirable to read it again before the Linnean Society in order that 

 an abstract might be published in the Society's * Proceedings.' 



The trees are mostly indicated by their colonial names, but to 

 many of them Sir R. Schomburgk has been enabled to add their 

 scientific designation. 



Souari, Sewarri or Sewarra (Pekea tuberculosa, Aubl.). Of large 

 size and very abundant ; excellent for ship-building, mill-timber and 

 planks, and may be obtained from 20 to 40 feet long, and from 16 

 to 20 inches square. 



Siruaballi, Sirwahalli, Siverballi. There are four varieties or per- 

 haps species of this tree, which belongs to the family of Laurinea. 

 They are distinguished as black, brown, yellow and white Siruaballi. 

 Its spicy smell and bitter taste preserve it from the attacks of worms, 

 either in or out of water, on which account it is in great request for 

 planking colonial crafts. 



Dakumballi. Grows on the side of rivers, and is not much used. 



Marsiballi or Accuribroed. A tall straight tree, but not of large 

 size. Wood hard and strong, but not very durable when exposed 

 to alternations of wet and dry weather, for which reason it is only 

 used in house-framing and inside work. When dried it is frequently 

 used for torches. 



Turanira or Bastard Bully-tree. Tall, straight, of large size, and 

 abundant on the banks of the Demerara River. Makes good planks 

 and framing- timbers for inside work, but is not durable when ex- 

 posed to the weather. 



Suradani or Suridani. Plentiful and of large size ; principally in 

 request for planks and timbers of colony crafts. It is of a light red 

 colour. 



Kautaballi or Kutaballi. Grows chiefly on the sand-hills which 

 form the first elevations on receding from the sea-coast. Very hard, 

 and much used for beams and inside work, but not durable when 

 exposed to the weather. 



Cakaralli or Kukaralli. Mostly found on rising ground along the 

 banks of rivers, and belongs to the tribe of Lecythidece. Its straight- 

 ness and large size (from 30 to 40 feet long and from 6 to 14 inches 

 square) would qualify it for masts or spars for colony crafts ; but its 

 heaviness militates against this use. It is very durable and chiefly 

 used in house -framing ; but as it is said that barnacles do not attack 

 it, it is also employed in wharfs, &c. The bark is easily stripped ofi^, 

 and consists of numerous layers, which the Indians separate by beat- 

 ing with a stick, and the author has counted as many as seventy of 

 these layers in a strip of bark. When separated they have the ap- 

 pearance of thin satin paper ; they are dried in the sun, and used as 

 wrappers for cigars. 



Simaruba, or Sumaruppa (Simarouba amara, Aubl.). Grows on 

 hill-sides to the height of 50 feet, branching and somewhat crooked^ 



