TIMBER WOODS. 77 



wood is, otherwise, a valuable timber, and might be used in 

 building and ornamental works. 



Beside the hitherto enumerated forest trees, there are others 

 which are, or might be, turned to advantage. From the Moricyp, 

 Genipa, Moripa, Caracoli, and Pois-doux (Inga fceculifera), also 

 from the Land-grape, Carapa, and even Cedar, are prepared ex- 

 cellent staves; the latter, however, ought to be discarded in this 

 respect on account of its bitter taste and discolouring properties. 

 The Mirobolant {Hernandia) , Chestnut-tree (Carolinea), Mombin, 

 or Wild Plum (Spondias), and other soft woods, supply good, 

 cheap, and easily procured headings for hogsheads. 



Many other plants are similarly brought into practical and 

 every-day utility, and among them several palms. When arrived 

 at full maturity, the Carat (Copernicici) makes very good ground- 

 posts: its leaves, as also those of theTimite (Manicaria saccifera) 

 and Cocorite (Maximiliana Caribea, Attalea regia), supply a 

 cheap and durable thatch — the two former especially — and are 

 extensively used whenever procurable. It is observable, however, 

 that they are rarely found together in the same parts ; and 

 according to their respective prevalence is the distinctive cover- 

 ing of the cottage roofs to be known. The Mountain-cabbage, 

 the Manaco, Groo-groo, Palma Real, and Cocorite, are split into 

 rounded boards, which are employed by the poor for the outer 

 boarding and even flooring of their cottages, and may also be 

 used for inclosing poultry houses and yards, sheep-folds, stable- 

 boarding, &c. : they are cheaper and more durable than White 

 Pine boards. Cortaderas, or Sword Grass, Cane-tops, and Fox- 

 tail Grass (Pennisetum setosum, Rich.) are also used in thatching. 



The black and white Roseau (Bactris and Gyneriuni) are made 

 use of as laths for the laying on for thatch ; the former also in 

 wattling or forming the framework of tapia — a species of very 

 coarse stucco made of grass and clay — whilst the leafy top of the 

 latter, though not so generally employed as it might be, supplies 

 a most excellent thatch-covering, being thick and very durable. 

 The Bamboo {Nastus Borbonicus) is extensively used as fuel in 

 lieu of megass in those districts where it is plentiful ; for that 

 purpose, it is cut about four feet long, and then split or 

 bruised, to allow a free escape of the air contained in the inter- 

 nodes, lest its expansion should occasion explosions, and thereby 

 damage the furnaces and flues. The Bamboo is also employed as 



