354 LEGUMINOS^ YIELDING WOOD FOR 



It has a coarse fibrous structure, and the fibres are arranged in 

 concentric layers running in opposite directions, in such a way that 

 when split along its diameter it separates into two pieces one toothed 

 into the other, and when planed the surface is alternately smooth and 

 rough. This wood is very hard, heavy and strong, and is used for 

 iDuilding work and coach-building. 



Its density is o"q63 ; its breaking strain 15 kilos. 



Pterocarpus Marsupium (Tree).— Very common in the forests about 

 the base of the Nilgherry group in India. It reproduces very easily 

 from seeds. The wood is reddish, very fine grained, hard and com- 

 pact; it is strong, heavy and resinous and can be given a fine polish 

 when being worked. It can be used for turned work, cabinet-making, 

 joinery, railway sleepers, &c. This tree is a native of East India 

 (Coromandel). 



Pterocarpus suberosus Tree).— Also known ?ls M 07itoiichin suberosa. 

 the common name being Bois chatousieux; it is a tree from 14 to 

 16 metres high. 



Guibourt says the wood is porous and light; the sap-wood is white, 

 the heart-wood is of irregular shape and when cut transversely shows 

 figuring roughly resembling a geographical map. Such a section 

 shows all kinds of colours from bright red to violet and from auburn 

 to dark chestnut. Although not held in much esteem it none the less 

 yields pieces in which the irregular blend of red and dark chestnut 

 gives a particularly fine effect. 



Its density is o'Sys and its breaking strain 255 kilos. This tree is 

 common on the marshy banks of the rivers of Guiana where it is 

 indigenous. 



Pterocarpus santalinus (Tree).— The real sandal-wood is not 

 derived from this species. The wood of this tree, which inhabits the 

 Coromandel Coast (India) is known as Bpis de coliatour. It is of a 

 dark red colour, very hard, and capable of taking a fine polish. In 

 India it is used for making beams for building purposes. It is also 

 used for carving, making picture frames, boxes, and other similar 

 objects. 



Pterocarpus macrocarpus (Tree).- An Indian tree giving a fine, 

 hard, close-grained timber. The colour is dark brick-red. 



Pterocarpus dalbergioides (Tree).— A very large tree with a fairly 

 hard wood. The sap-wood is thin and grey in colour, while the heart 

 is a brilliant red striped with brown and black. It is a building wood, 

 used for a number of other purposes. The commercial name is 

 Padauk. 



Pericopsis Mooniana (Tree).— A large Indian tree with a pale 

 orange-brown coloured wood. It is very hard and largely used for 

 joinery, &c. 



Priotropis cytisoides (Shrub).— An Indian shrub of erect growth. 

 The wood is white. 



