Current Literature. 693 



woods that I believe that all other woods could be spared from 

 many eastern markets without seriously hampering work or affect- 

 ing prices." Probably over 75 per cent, of the bulk of the 

 merchantable wood of the area is composed of members of this 

 family. The most important woods of this family are those fall- 

 ing under the following groups : Rassak, Chengal, Yacal, Peniow, 

 Mangachapuy, which may be called the Yacal group, and all being 

 heavy, hard, durable woods, suited especially for railroad ties and 

 uses where durability and strength are essential. The Gidjo 

 group comprises mainly Kapor, Guijo or Sal, and Apitong, being 

 fairly heavy, fairly hard strong woods suitable for planking, 

 beams, etc. ; and the Lauan group comprising Tanguile, red and 

 white Lauans, Almon, Merante, Seriah — being light woods, easily 

 worked and well suited for all general purposes for which wood 

 is used, and also being well suited for furniture, etc. 



Thus it is seen that woods suitable for practically every purpose 

 are furnished by members of this family — from the hard, very 

 durable woods to light, soft woods; and from woods for almost 

 any special purpose to woods for general construction ; and as 

 nearly all grow to great size and clear length and occur in heavy 

 stands, the importance of the family can be seen. The lighter 

 woods form the most common members of the family. 



Next to the family Dipterocarpaceae, Dr. Foxworthy places the 

 Leguminosae. This family supplies the greatest number of woods 

 for fancy furniture and ornamental work. The most important 

 woods of this family are the Cutch tree, East Indian Walnut, Ipil 

 or Mirabow, Pyingadu, Indian Rosewood, Blackwood, Padauk, 

 and Red Sanders or East Indian Sandalwood. 



The members of these two families are very well grouped, and 

 the excellent description and analytical keys given enable one 

 readily to distinguish the most important groups. 



Of what certainly must be considered not less than of third rank 

 in the families of this region (even considered first in importance 

 by some), i. e., the Rhiaophoraceae, there is not so much as might 

 be desirable, although a useful key to the genera is given. This 

 family embraces practically all of the species found in the great 

 Mangrove swamps of the tropics and might supply vast quantities 

 of the best fuel-wood, charcoal, tanbarks and tanning extracts, 

 dye materials, and even wood for piling, poles, railroad ties, etc. ; 



