CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 51 



medullary rays are very fine indeed, yet show clearly on the radial 

 section in a manner similar to but finer than beech. 



Cedar, Guiana. Protium altissimum, Marsh. Weight, 42 lbs. 12 oz. 

 (fresh). British, Dutch, French Guiana. 



Twelve logs of this timber, which in France is known as " cedre-blanc," 

 were imported from Surinam into London in 1914, being intended either 

 for France or Germany, probably the latter, and diverted to England on 

 account of the war. Although suppUes are apparently available from 

 British and Dutch Guiana, this import is the first on record for the United 

 Kingdom, at all events for a great many years. The colour is a light 

 nut-brown \\ith rather a satiny lustre, which darkens considerably on 

 exposure ; it has a close, smooth texture and a straight grain. 



It is a useful timber and stands well under all conditions ; it should 

 be better known, when its undoubted good qualities would soon bring it 

 into favour. 



The pores are regular and uniform, and are of moderate size. The 

 medullary rays are numerous, clearly defined and parallel, and are easily 

 discernible with the naked eye. There is a liability for the wood to 

 develop very fine cracks on the Une of the medullary ray. 



The name " cedar " is also applied to the produce of Idea altissima, 

 Aubl., a timber used in Guiana for making canoes. 



Cedar, Mouoiein. Cedrela Toona, Roxb. Weight, 29-40 lbs. 

 (Gamble). British India, AustraUa. 



This tree, which is of considerable value, is known in most parts of 

 India as toon, and in Burma as thitkado. It is soft, red, and fragrant, 

 and in India is largely used for furniture because it seasons easily, works 

 well, and is ornamental, taking a good polish. It must be well seasoned 

 before use, otherwise it warps badly. In England and Europe generally 

 it resists the action of moths and boring insects. 



Being scented and open-grained, it is almost indistinguishable from 

 Central American cedar {Cedrela odorata). For general purposes in the 

 domestic arts it might be used in lieu of the better kinds of cedar from 

 Cuba and Mexico, whenever these are scarce in the market. It is also 

 used for cigar-boxes and for packing tobacco. As Laslett found in his 

 time that the supplies were not mild enough for pattern-making, it would 

 appear that later shipments have yielded a milder wood, since many 

 samples have been seen of late which were eminently suited for this 

 purpose. It is subject to heart and star shakes, and in seasoning is very 

 liable to spHt from the surface if left long in the round or unconverted 

 state. Mr. R. S. Pearson has made some very interesting experiments 



