NATURAL HISTORY. 



02 1 



his conscience, whetiier lie shall 

 disclose the matter to his master, 

 or sell it to his master's neighbour: 

 a liberal equivalent for this breach 

 of fidelity being always punctually 

 discharged. Those, however, who 

 afFordenconragement to such prac- 

 tices, by such impolitic tempta- 

 tion, are perhaps not more mind- 

 ful of the old adage than of their 

 interest, as it cannot but indirect- 

 ly sanction their own slaves to 

 take equal advantage whenever 

 the opportunity presents itself. 



On some occasions no ordinary 

 stratagem is necessary to be re- 

 sorted to by the huntsman to pre- 

 vent others from availing them- 

 selves of the advantage of his dis- 

 coveries ; for if his steps be traced 

 by those who may be engaged in 

 the same pursuit, which is a very 

 common thing, all his ingenuity 

 must be exerted to beguile them 

 from the true scent. In this, how- 

 ever, he is not always successful, 

 being followed by those who are 

 entirely aware of all the arts he 

 may use, and whose eyes are so 

 quick, that the lightest turn of a 

 leaf, or the faintest impression of 

 his foot, is unerringly perceived ; 

 even the dried leaves which may 

 be strewed on the ground, often 

 help to conduct to the secret spot. 

 Patents for discovery having never 

 been contemplated by the Hondu- 

 ras wood-cutters, any invasion of 

 the right appertaining to it has 

 therefore seldom been very scru- 

 pulously regarded by them. And 

 it consequently happens, that per- 

 sons so engaged must frequently 

 undergo the disappointment of 

 finding an advantage they had 



promised to themselves seized on 



by others, 



. The mahogany tree is commonly 



cut about twelve feet from the 

 ground, and a stage is erected for 

 the axe-man employed in levelling 

 it. This, to an observer, would 

 appear a labour of much danger, 

 but an accident rarely happens to 

 the person engaged in it. The 

 body of the tree, from the dimen- 

 sions of the wood it furnishes, is 

 deemed the most valuable ; but 

 for purposes of ornamental kind, 

 the branches or limbs are gene- 

 rally preferred, the grain of these 

 being much closer, and the veins 

 more rich and variegated. 



The last day of falling the trees, 

 if the negroes have not been dis- 

 turbed in their labour, is always 

 one of festivity and merriment ; 

 and these people may now antici- 

 pate a short interval of leisure that 

 will allow them to think of com- 

 forts in which they seldom can in- 

 dulge at the commencement of 

 their work. Some are busily em- 

 ployed in the improvement of their 

 dwellings, which are nothing more 

 than huts composed of a few sticks 

 and leaves, that of the master be- 

 ing seldom better, whilst others 

 search the woods for game, in 

 which they generally are abun- 

 dantly successful. The more in- 

 genious turn their attention to the 

 manufacture of a variety of small 

 articles from the less valuable ma- 

 hogany, for domestic use ; and 

 which, either as presents to their 

 wives, or as matters for sale, are 

 disposed of on their return from 

 the woods. 



The mahogany tree is seldom 

 found in clusters or groups, but 

 single, and often much dispersed ; 

 what, therefore, is denominated a 

 mahogany work, comprehends an 

 extentof several miles. Thegrowth 

 of this tree is considered rapid, 



