1851.] Linnean Society. 159 



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

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

 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. 



DakumbaUi. 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 Ught red 

 colour. 



KautabalU or KutabaJU. 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 Lecytliidece. 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 cdso employed in wharfs, &c. The bark is easily stripped oft", 

 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. 



Siinaruba, or Siimaruppa (Simarouba amara, Aubl.). Grows on 

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

 The wood resembles white pine, both in colour and qualitj^, and 

 makes good boards for inside work. A decoction of the bark, which 

 is intensely bitter, is considered an excellent remedy in dysenterj- 

 and other complaints of the bowels, and is much used among the 

 Indians. 



