855 



black and brown streaks ; easily worked, lakes a fine high polish, and 

 makes beautiful furniture, and cabinet-work of every description. 

 May be had from 6 to 15 inches square and from 20 to 35 feet long. 

 It is by no means scarce, but is much subject to holes, which fre- 

 quently render it useless. 



Simeri, or Locust-tree (Hymenaea Courbaril, L.). A tree of large 

 size and plentiful throughout Guiana, often attaining from 60 to 80 

 feet in height and 8 to 9 feet in diameter. Trunk destitute of branches 

 nearly to the top. Wood close-grained, of a fine brown, streaked 

 with veins, and well adapted for mill-timbers, as it does not split or 

 warp. A good deal of it is sent to England to be used as trenails in 

 planking vessels, and in beams and planks for fitting up steam-engines : 

 it has also been found to answer well for the frames, wheels, &c. of 

 spinning machines. The Indians and Negroes are fond of the farina- 

 ceous saccharine pulp enveloping the seeds. The gum, which resem- 

 bles Copal, and produces an excellent spirit-varnish, is found about 

 the roots of the old trees a few inches under the surface of the ground, 

 and occasionally also exuding from the trunk. 



Yai'i-Yari or Lance-wood (Duguetia Quitarensis). Is abundant in 

 the interior ; but the trees are seldom above 20 feet high clear of the 

 branches, or more than 5 inches in diameter. It is considered by 

 the coach-makers, in consequence of its elasticity and toughness, the 

 best material for chaise or gig shafts. 



Black Greenheart is only distinguished from the common Green- 

 heart by the colour of the wood, but is so scarce in proportion to the 

 brown, that not more than one in twenty of the trees cut down are 

 found to belong to this variety. The wood is in great request in the 

 island, being preferred to all others, on account of its well-known du- 

 rability, for windmill-shafts, spindles and mill-work in general. 



Itaka or Itekitibourahalli (Machaerium Schomburgkii, Benth.). 

 Wood much used for furniture : it has streaks of black and brown 

 throughout, the outer part being pale yellow. It is not scarce, but 

 rarely squares to more than 14 inches, and is very subject to heart- 

 shakes. Its purple flowers have the odour of violets. 



Ebony i or Banya. A large tree of fluted surface and uneven growth, 

 the heart of which (seldom more than 8 to 10 inches square) is alone 

 used : it is black, heavy, hard, and strong, and generally used by the 

 Indians for their war-clubs. 



Mora (Mora excelsa, Benth.). The most majestic tree of the forests 

 of Guiana, towering over all the rest and often reaching the height 

 of 120 feet. It is abundant along the rivers of the Coast Region, and 



