692 



NATURE 



[July 29, 1920 



arises from the varying vernacular names. The 

 various species of Khaya, the African mahoganies, 

 play the most important part, for this wood, which is 

 generally of fine texture and good quality, has been in 

 very large demand, and extraordinary prices have been 

 realised for it. Another valuable wood is that labelled 

 Odum {Chlorophora excelsa), which has also been 

 imported as Iroko, sometimes falsely termed African 

 teak. While it is in itself of great value, and likely 

 to be more so in the future, it possesises none of the 

 qualities of teak with the exception of a superficial 

 resemblance in colour. The wood labelled Kaku, also 

 called Karkoo {Lophira procera), is generally known 

 in England as African oak; it possesses unique 

 qualities of strength and durability, and it is to be 

 regretted that supplies seem to be scarce. 



Nigeria. — From Nigeria also Lophira procera is 

 available, though here it is known as Eki; it is a 

 strong wood, and is reported as being both termite- 

 and teredo-proof. Other heavy constructional woods 

 which resist the v^^hite ant and show good promise for 

 the future are Sasswood {Erythrophloeum guineense), 

 the gamboge-coloured Opepe [Sarcocephalus esculen- 

 tus), Agboin (Piptadenia africana), and Apa {Afzelia 

 africana). A particularly fine ebony of large size and 

 beautifully variegated colour is that known as 

 Kawraw (Diospyros mespiliformis). First and fore- 

 most amongst the woods from this region, however, 

 are the mahoganies, which form the bulk of the 

 supplies. This exhibit was in charge of Mr. Lauchlan. 



Western Australia. — The depletion of the forests in 

 the past has reduced the volume of the timber avail- 

 able, but their re-afforestation is now in the charge 

 of Mr. C. E. Lane-Poole, and supplies will probably 

 be assured for the future. One of the chief factors in 

 the great value of the timbers of Western Australia is 

 their durability. Jarrah {Eucalyptus diversicolor) and 

 karri [E. marginata) sleepers, for instance, 4|_ in. 

 by 95 in., on the Great Western Railway remained 

 sound in the ground for twenty years, and appear to 

 be good for another twenty years, while the trenail 

 has remained in position during the whole period. 

 It should be remembered also that a jarrah or karri 

 sleeper 4^ in. by 95 in. is better than one 5 in. by 10 in. 

 of any other wood. Jarrah is also shown in the form 

 of flooring, and provides a smooth, hard-wearing sur- 

 face equal to that of any other hardwood. Telegraph 

 arms in karri were exhibited; these have been exten- 

 sively used and much appreciated by the G.P.O. 

 for many years. These hardwoods take premier place 

 for such work as piling, wharf-planking, and bridge- 

 building, and, though more costly in their initial 

 outlay than many timbers, prove the most economical 

 ultimately. As a furniture wood jarrah is also excel- 

 lent ; the chairs, tables, and panelling which were 

 exhibited illustrate its value for this purpose. 



Canada.— At the Canadian exhibit, which was in 

 charge of Mr. Stokes, were shown two interesting 

 models of wooden houses made of Douglas fir 

 (Pseudotsuga Douglasii). Some sixty-nine timbers 

 were shown, of which about twenty-five are of com- 

 mercial interest, the remainder forming a valuable 

 reserve for future use. Two of the outstanding 

 timbers are the Sitka or silver spruce {Picea 

 sitchensis), which might be called the aluminium of 

 timbers, and veneer of basswood {Tilia americana), 

 which is used in the making of safety matches. 

 The bv-products of the Canadian forests include tur- 

 pentine, artificial silk and surgical cotton made from 

 sulphide pulp, and the ground-wood pulp which is 

 used in the manufacture of the paper on which the 

 Daily Mail Is printed. 



British Guiana. — ^The timbers produced from this 

 country, the exhibit of which was in charge of Mr. 

 Herbert Stone, are of very great importance, and 

 NO. 2648, VOL. 105] 



provide a source of supply which has never yet been 

 properly realised. With the exception of greenheart 

 {Nectandra Rodioei), no import into the United King- 

 dom worth mentioning has occurred. This fact is 

 evidence of the lack ot enterprise which this country 

 displays, because from Dutch Guiana (Surinam) 

 similar woods have been known and appreciated for 

 many years in Holland, France, and Germany. 

 Among the practically unknown timbers which should 

 be in demand are purpleheart {Copaiferai pubiflora), 

 the rich and brilliant colour of which stands out 

 remarkably even amongst the many brilliantly 

 coloured woods of South America ; mora (Dimor- 

 phandra Mora), a wonderfully durable wood suitable 

 for constructional work and for sleepers ; wana 

 {Nectandra Wana) ; brownheart {Andira inermis) 

 (this wood, which is called Surinam teak by the 

 Dutch, was named partridge wood by Laslett); 

 locust {Hymenoea courbaril) ; and crabwood {Carapa 

 guianensis). All these are fine durable woods suitable 

 for construction in buildings which are required to 

 last for generations. 



Indian Empire. — The remarkable exhibit of the 

 timbers of the Indian Empire, both in the raw state 

 and manufactured into furniture and so forth, was the 

 more noteworthy when it is remembered that prac- 

 tically none of these timbers of India had ever before 

 been seen in this country. Even those who were 

 acquainted with the forest wealth of India have not 

 hitherto realised the extent of its commercial value 

 in Europe. Amongst the exhibits were two halls and 

 staircases made respectively in Indian silver grey- 

 wood and padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides), a 

 dining-room panelled in gurjun (Dipterocarpu^ tur- 

 binatus) and furnished in laurel wood, a drawing- 

 room in sissoo (Dalbergia Sissoo), a bedroom in Indian 

 black walnut with panels of walnut burr {Juglans 

 regia), and a billiard-room furnished entirely in 

 padauk and panelled in laurel wood. The great 

 possibilities of the Indian timbers were, perhaps, 

 most strikingly shown in the railway coach built by 

 the Great Eastern Railway Co. The constructional 

 portion was entirely of Indian wood, the decoration of 

 the first-class carriage being in Indian silver greywood 

 and that of the third-class in padauk. These pre- 

 sented such an excellent appearance that their 

 increasing use in this direction is certain. 



In addition to these larger exhibits were shown 

 chairs, mirrors, and numerous small articles which 

 serve to illustrate the many and varied uses to 

 which the woods may be put. No trouble has been 

 spared to demonstrate the fact that for every purpose 

 for which wood is required the products of the Indian 

 forests can meet the demand. Some two hundred 

 ,small specimens showed the wide range of colour and 

 texture which is available. Among this large col- 

 lection of timbers the following are particularly 

 worthy of the most careful attention of those in- 

 terested in timbers for decorative and constructional 

 work. Gurjun (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), a pale 

 brown-coloured wood with a delicate aromatic scent, 

 is an attractive medium for panelling, and one_ of 

 the best hardwoods for flooring which it is possible 

 to obtain. It is available in large sizes of superlative 

 quality, and at a price which brings it within the 

 range of even the most economical kinds of uses. 

 Padauk is a wood which is unique in its brilliant red 

 to maroon colour. It is exceedingly firm and durable, 

 stands well without shrinking or warping, and ^ is 

 one of the strongest woods it is possible to obtain. 

 During the war immense quantities^ of padauk were 

 used for saddle-trees and gun-carriages, for which 

 purposes it is difficult to find its equal. It was also 

 used for the felloes of some exceptionally large wheels 

 for heavy guns for use in Russia.. The produce of a 



