6/4 Forestry Quarterly. 



West. The more accessible portions have been exploited for 

 mahogany and lignum vitae. Besides these two trees there is 

 a considerable number of species of commercial size and import- 

 ance. Many of these are exceedingly valuable for their hard, 

 heavy, and highly colored vi^ood. Others are not of sufficient size 

 or amount to be of any considerable commercial importance. The 

 species that are most abundant and highly prized for their lumber 

 are as follows : 



Mahogany, Swietenia mahagoni — Jacq., Lignum vitae or iron- 

 wood, Guaiacum sanctum — Linn., Red Mangrove, Rhisophora 

 mangle, — Linn., Buttonwood, Conocarpus erecta, — Linn., White 

 Mangrove, Leguncularia racemosa, — Linn., Black Mangrove, 

 Avicennia nitida, — Jacq., Seagrape, Coccolobis uvifera, — Jacq., 

 Jamaica Dogwood, Ichthyomethia piscipula, — Linn., Mastic, Sid- 

 eroxylon mastichodendron, — Jacq., Satinwobd, Xanthojrylum 

 f agar a, — Linn. 



As far as possible these have been listed in the order of their 

 importance. All are found on the keys and hammocks of the 

 southern peninsula where they grow in dense tropical thickets. 

 The mangroves only grow in the salt water swamps and along 

 stream courses where their chief use is of protective value to the 

 shores. Their bark contains a high percentage of tannin and 

 the wood is now being used for flooring and cabinet manufac- 

 ture. Trees up to 2t, inches in diameter and 50 feet in height 

 are very common. Mahogany and lignum vitae have been largely 

 cut but there are still considerable quantities in the remote sec- 

 tions of the keys and hammock lands. Buttonwood, Mastic, 

 Jamaica Dogwood, and Satinwood produce heavy, durable, highly 

 colored woods which are particularly esteemed for high grade 

 cabinet work and furniture. Besides the presence of a large num- 

 ber of tropical varieties, the Antillean region is characterized by 

 extensive pure stands of Cuban Pine. The topography is almost 

 universally flat and this species is commonly found growing direct- 

 ly from the limestone formation which outcrops at the surface of 

 the ground throughout this region. 



The following types of forest may be distinguished in the tro- 

 pical region of Florida : 



I. Cuban Pine; 2. Mangrove swamps; 3. Hardwood ham- 

 mocks ; 4. Fresh water swamps. 



