13 



more, seldom attains a height of 40 feet. Their name, axe- 

 breaker, indicates their toughness ; for in cutting or felling them, 

 the axe is often broken. In cutting the samples received, two axes 

 were nicked to the extent of one-half to three-fourths of an inch. 

 The wood is durable and used for ties, poles, etc., and in posts for 

 houses. One piece that had been for sixty-seven years in a clay 

 soil was found still sound when sawed. The tree is common 

 throughout the state. 



(27 ) Qinta-Calson Its powder acts as a purgative. The tree 

 attains a height of 30 or 35 feet, branching at 15 or 20 feet from 

 the trunk, and often has a diameter of 2 feet. It is abundant along 

 the coast. It is used for boards where not exposed to the weather ; 

 it will 'not resist moisture. 



(28.) Roble. Light colored wood of a curly and beautiful grain. 

 It is pink in color and used in house-building. The tree has 

 exceedingly large leaves, 14 inches long and about 7 inches wide, 

 is often 50 feet high, and from 12 to 15 inches diameter. Is abun- 

 dant along the coast. 



(29.) Ron-ran. This is one of the largest of hard-wood trees 

 growing on the shores of the rivers of the Departmento of Chon- 

 tales on the Atlantic slope. It reaches a height of 50 or 60 feet, 

 and often a diameter of 3 feet. Dark, fine-grained wood, strong, 

 heavy and durable. Is used in cabinet work, turns very easily, and 

 is susceptible of polish. It turns dark with age. 



(30.) Tempisque. This tree is of historical interest in Nicaragua, 

 and is one of the largest found in the tropical forests. It attains a 

 height of seventy-five feet or more. The trunk is irregular and 

 seldom reaches twenty feet to the beginning of the largest branches. 

 It has a diameter of 6 feet. The wood is fine grained, hard and 

 very excellent for desks and other articles of cabinet work. Like 

 the mahogany, it turns dark in a few years, and is equally durable. 

 The cattle eat its fruit. 



(31.) Tiguilote. Light wood, grows about 30 feet high, and 

 over 1 2 inches in diameter ; good wood for carriages. It is used 

 for fence posts, it easily roots when set with care, thus making a 

 permanent fence and a pretty grove. 



(32.) Zapotillo. Of a light mahogany color, has a fine grain, 

 and is light. Attains a height of 40 feet and I foot in diameter. 

 It is not very much used. 



