TIMBER WOODS. 73 



lasts a very long time in the ground, but unfortunately does not 

 grow to any very large size, which is an obstacle to its being in 

 more extensive demand : it is, however, invaluable to the wheel- 

 wright for naves and felloes, and I have no doubt fine furniture 

 might also be wrought from it. Though in some parts rare, it 

 would appear to be in great abundance all along the southern 

 coast, and in the interior of some of the south-eastern dis- 

 tricts. 



Angelim {Andira inermis). — There exist here at least two 

 different species of Angelim, growing almost everywhere, and of 

 Avhich one is less in bulk than the other : the former furnishes 

 very superior cart-naves ; and the larger species, when sawn into 

 boards and planks, makes excellent flooring : it is also valuable 

 for mill -frames. 



Tapana {Richeria grandis) grows to a very large size, and is 

 well suited to all building purposes : it is a strong tough wood, 

 and may be sawn into boards for flooring and boat-building ; it 

 is, however, chiefly used by wheelwrights for felloes. 



Roble {Platymisciumplatystachium^ejit.) . — The Roble grows 

 in great abundance in some parts of the country, and com- 

 monly in good soils, where it attains large dimensions. Though 

 not in very extensive use, it is yet an excellent timber — 

 of a dark orange colour, not over hard, and easily sawn into 

 boards and scantling; it can be employed in almost any erection, 

 and furnishes remarkably good and lasting ground-posts. It 

 possesses, when newly wrought, a very agreeable odour, which it 

 preserves indefinitely, and is of sufficiently fine grain and polish 

 to serve for furniture ; in fact, where Locust is scarce, the Roble 

 is used as a very efficient substitute. 



Carapa, or, by corruption, Crapaud [Carapa guianensis). — 

 Besides the oil which is extracted from the seeds of the Carapa, 

 the tree itself supplies excellent timber. There are two distinct 

 varieties ; both may be sawn into scantling, boards, and planks ; 

 they are also split into shingles and staves. The Carapa is very 

 extensively used as beams and rafters, and the lighter coloured 

 species, when well polished, makes fine furniture. Diameter, 

 from two to three feet. 



Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) very much resembles the 

 European walnut, and may be applied to the same uses, but 

 is not, perhaps, as much employed as it ought to be. It is an 



