300 Linnoian Society. 



and makes beautiful furniture, and cabinet-work of every description. 

 May be had from 6 to 15 inches square and from 20 to 35 feet long. 

 It is by no means scarce, but is much subject to holes, which fre- 

 quently render it useless. 



Simeri, or Zocws^-^ree (Hymenaea Courbaril, L.). A tree of large 

 size and plentiful throughout Guiana, often attaining from 60 to 

 80 feet in height and 8 to 9 feet in diameter. Trunk destitute of 

 branches nearly to the top. Wood close-grained, of a fine brown, 

 streaked with veins, and well adapted for mill-timbers, as it does not 

 split or warp. A good deal of it is sent to England to be used as 

 trenails in planking vessels, and in beams and planks for fitting up 

 steam-engines : it has also been found to answer well for the frames, 

 wheels, &c. of spinning machines. The Indians and Negroes are 

 fond of the farinaceous saccharine pulp enveloping the seeds. The 

 gum, which resembles Copal, and produces an excellent spirit- 

 varnish, is found about the roots of the old trees a few inches under 

 the surface of the ground, and occasionally also exuding from the, 

 trunk. MLi- oar oil 



Yari-Yari 6t Lance-wood {DngnQtm Quitarensis). Is abundant 

 in the interior ; but the trees are seldom above 20 feet high clear 

 of the branches, or more than 5 inches in diameter. It is considered 

 by the coach-makers, in consequence of its elasticity and tough- 

 ness, the best material for chaise or gig shafts. ? 



Black Greenheart is only distinguished from the common Green<^i 

 heart by the colour of the wood, but is so scarce in proportion to 

 the brown, that not more than one in twenty of the trees cut down 

 are found to belong to this variety. The wood is in great request in 

 the island, being preferred to all others, on account of its well-known 

 durability, for windmill-shafts, spindles and mill- work in general, ji 



Itaka or Itekitibourahalli (Machserium Schomburgkii, BenthJ)i\ 

 Wood much used for furniture : it has streaks of black and brown 

 throughout, the outer part being pale yellow. It is not scarce, but 

 rarely squares to more than 14 inches, and is very subject to heart-i* 

 shakes. Its purple flowers have the odour of violets. ?fr 



Ebony, or Batiya. A large tree of fluted surface and uneven 

 growth, the heart of which (seldom more than 8 to 10 inches square) 

 is alone used : it is black, heavy, hard and strong, and generally 

 used by the Indians for their war-clubs. 



Mora (Mora excelsa, Benth.). The most majestic tree of the 

 forests of Guiana, towering over ail the rest and often reaching the 

 height of 120 feet. It is abundant along the rivers of the Coast 

 Region, and extends as far south as lat. 3° N. The wood is close, 

 cross-grained, and difficult to split : it is considered by the most 

 competent judges to be superior to oak (as it is not subject to dry- 

 rot) and the very best wood that can be procured for ships' timbers. 

 It may be obtained from 10 to 20 inches square, and from 30 to 40 

 feet long ; and its branches having a tendency to grow crooked it 

 affords natural knees, while the trunk may be used for keels, beams 

 and planking. A full account of this useful tree was published by 

 Mr. Bentham in the Society's ' Transactions,' vol. xviii. p. 207^ ">^j,7 



