58 BEITISH HONDURAS. 



pact bark, and in the other by rather thick, spongy, and rough 

 bark. I was, however, unable to distinguish any difference in 

 the trees pointed out to me as a white and a yellow pine, the 

 botanical characters of both being exactly the same. In addi- 

 tion to the utilisation of the timber, as mentioned above, and 

 especially by the aid of efficient steam saw-mills, other products 

 might be obtained from them. For instance, if properly tapped, 

 resin of good quality, and in large quantities, should be avail- 

 able ; and the wood, by distillation, might yield both turpentine 

 and tar. In the Southern States of America turpentine is 

 obtained from a nearly allied tree, viz., the pitch, or yellow pine 

 (Pinus australis), as follows : " Cavities or boxes are made in 

 the trunks of the trees as they stand. They are made from 6 to 

 12 inches above the ground, and are mostly cut deep enough 

 into the wood to hold about a quart. From one to four boxes 

 are made in each trunk. The wood is hacked away above the 

 box, or channels are made leading to it, down which the turpen- 

 tine flows. When the box is full it is removed by a spoon or 

 ladle, and placed in barrels. The first year's flow of turpentine 

 thus obtained is known as Virgin dip, or Virgin turpentine. 

 Some of this crude turpentine is exported, but it is mostly dis- 

 tilled in the neighbourhood of the turpentine orchards. Oil of 

 turpentine, or, as it is often called, spirit of turpentine, is dis- 

 tilled from the oleo-resin as collected, either with or without 

 water. It is used in enormous quantities in the preparation of 

 varnishes, paints, and for various other purposes in the arts and 

 manufactures, as well as in medicine." 



Next to the pine-ridge lands, the most strongly-marked 

 feature in the surface of British Honduras are the "cohuue- 

 ridges," which, as they contain chiefly the rich valuable soils of 

 the colony, deserve special notice. The term " cohune-ridge " 

 (Spanish corosal) is applied to the low-lying lands generally 



