THE CUBA K I! V I i: W 



17 



'<'"• They are sonieti s covered with m sllghl gummj exudation thai has mi 



astringenl taste similar t<> the extract of Idno. The berries, which are eaten like 

 grapes and highly esteemed as ;i table dessert, have ;i refreshing, agreeable sub- 

 acid taste. 



As n timber-yielding tree, it bolds a I'm- more prominent rank than is generally 

 supposed, in Cuba, Jamaica ami Porto Rico it furnishes an economic wood of con- 

 siderable local Importance, it lias been described as being bard, heavy, strong, tough 



Cross Section of the Wood of the Sea Grape, Magnified 50 Times. 

 The Dark Spots are the Source of Kino. 



and durable in contact with the soil. It is dark brown, tinged with red or sometimes 

 slightly violet colored. Upon boiling the wood in water or in a dilute alkaline solu- 

 tion, it imparts a ruby-red color to the water. The wood possesses many valuable 

 properties and when it occurs in large sizes it is deemed among the finest woods for 

 many important uses. In Cuba and Jamaica it is employed extensively for making 

 expensive cabinet work and fine furniture. Although it is hard and compact, it 

 works with considerable ease and has a very fine grain and is susceptible of a good 

 polish. The pores are very small and evenly distributed throughout the annual 

 rings of growth, which are scarcely visible to the unaided eye. 



The timber and the fruit of this tree do not constitute the only products it 

 yields. An astringent resinous substance or concrete juice, called West Indian kino 

 in the trade, is obtained from this interesting tree. While it is at present of com- 

 paratively little commercial importance outside of the region of its production, it is, 



