34 



1^-'' 



The genus 3rowiieojtJSis Huber is very closely related to 

 Browne a Jacq,, of v/hich there are at least two indigenous 

 representatives in Pana.aa, besides 3. ariza 3enth.» calti- 

 vated as an oriiamental. Both genera are similar in habit 

 and thrive in about identical conditions, but in Browneop- 

 sis the nomber of staaens is larger and v;e note also the 

 absence of the floral sheath -.vhich is characteristic of 

 Brownea. The type of Browneopsis is Brazilian, and 3 . ex - 

 oelsa is presently the only species found outside the Ama- 

 zonian basin. 



Description of the wood 



Sapwood thin, nearly white; heartwood slightly darker 

 or very light brown. -Tood very hard, heavy, tough, strong, 

 exceedingly fine-grained, taking an excellent polish. 

 Annual rings of growth not visible under the hand lens on 

 a smooth transverse section. 



Pores (transverse section) nomerous and small (.13 mm. 

 in diameter), chiefly rc>and or elliptical, open in the 

 sapwood, completely closed in the heartwood, arranged singly 

 or sometimes in radial rows of 2 or 2. Perforations simple, 

 iVcod fibers about ,9778 am, long, v^ith thick walls and 

 very small cell cavities, with very inconspicuous simple 

 pits. Pith rays exceedingly numerous, very narrow, hardly 

 visible v/ith the hand lens on a smooth transverse section, 

 usually one cell v/lde and from a fev; to 12 cells high. 



Distribution, common names and uses 



3ie<ixtiie&- excelsa is kriwon only from the forests of 

 Southern Darien, Panama, where it grows gregariously on 

 high ground along creeks ani running rivers. The inhabitants 

 call it Guchillito , i. e., small knife or machete, on account 

 of the sRape of the pods. Although the wood is hard and 

 durable, and can take a fine polish, it does not seem to 

 be of any special iise. 



