CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD loi 



exceedingly fine, secondary rays which are only visible with the lens 

 (12 x). 



Ingyin. Pentacme suavis, DC. Weight, 54 lbs. (Troup). India, Cochin 

 China. 



This is one of the timbers of which a specimen log was sent a few 

 years ago to the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South 

 Kensington. It is a very valuable wood for which many uses could be 

 found in the United Kingdom if its good qualities were recognised. It 

 possesses a very pleasing nut-brown colour, resembhng teak, though it 

 is a Uttle lighter. It is capable of a smooth surface. On this point, 

 however, Gamble says : " It resembles Sal in the pecuHarity that on the 

 vertical section it has alternate belts in which the grain changes, so that 

 a very sharp plane indeed is required to smooth it. It is used in India 

 for house-building and bows " ; also, according to Troup, for " bridge 

 construction, piles, telegraph poles, boat-building, carts, shafts, strong 

 articles of furniture, and bows ; suitable for trial for paving blocks." 

 It is mentioned in both these authorities for its durabiUty, while Fox- 

 worthy notes that it is indestructible in water. 



The pores are arranged in belts which are made more clear by the 

 halo surrounding them. The numerous fine, clear, equidistant medullary 

 rays, which also show on the radial section as in beech but rather smaller, 

 are crossed at right angles by similar irregular, fine white Hues. 



Ipfe PRETO or Ip£ Una. Tecoma curialis, Fr. Allem. Brazil. 



This wood is especially excellent for piles, booms, and harbour works. 

 Another species, Ipe tahaco, described as one of the best woods of Brazil, 

 is also used for timber and pile work. 



Iroko. Chlorophora excelsa, Benth. and Hook. Weight, 41 lbs. 14 oz. 

 West Coast of Africa. 



This timber has been imported from several districts on the coast, but 

 the best quality has come from Benin, in logs hewn square, ranging from 

 15 to 48 inches, and in lengths varying from 12 to more than 26 feet. 

 It is described when sold as " iroko (African teak)," but it possesses little 

 resemblance to teak {Tectona grandis) even in appearance, while in quaHty 

 and texture it is quite dissimilar. It has also been sold under the name 

 of " African oak " and not identified as iroko. 



When first cut it is of a Hght-brown colour, which is inclined to bleach 

 to a Ughter shade after exposure to the air. As it is cross-grained, the 

 wood does not leave the tool with a very smooth surface. It is sound 

 and does not readily split, but the central wood is often faulty and 

 therefore a little wasteful in conversion. 



