102 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



Iroko is described by Mr. H. N. Thompson as " the best all-round 

 timber in tropical Africa^(and) — the most useful wood in West Africa." 

 It is stated to be durable and to resist well the attacks of white ants 

 (termites). Apart from its use in houses, it has recently been most 

 successfully utilised to make heavy felloes for gun-carriages ; apparently 

 the wood is thus exceptionally strong. It has also been found a splendid 

 wood for the heads of golf clubs. There is little doubt that iroko will 

 grow in favour and find new uses. This most useful timber can, however, 

 in no way be regarded as a substitute for teak. 



In transverse section concentric layers are formed by the occurrence 

 at intervals of thin, concentric light lines of soft tissue. The pores are 

 visible, and are linked together by shorter or longer light wavy Unes 

 that stand out well in the section. The medullary rays are invisible. 

 The wood is cross-grained ; moreover, the grain is apt to be shghtly 

 wavy. The coarse vessels (pores) imbedded in soft, light tissue, score 

 the surface with their furrows. 



Ironbark. Eucalyptus largiflorens, F. v. M. Weight, 74 lbs. 12 oz. 

 Australia. 



This is one of the most durable of Australian timbers. It is of a 

 reddish-brown colour, and is rather liable to split. 



Ironwood, East African. Source unknown. East Africa. 



This timber has not yet been imported commercially into the United 

 Kingdom, but in common with some other East African woods it is now 

 being exploited with energy, and the next few years will probably see a 

 considerable development in export business. 



The timber is of a hard, dense, compact grain and is apparently 

 selected into two sorts, which are described as " ordinary " and " figury," 

 although the distinguishing features between the two descriptions are 

 hardly sufficient to make such a grading appear important. The wood is 

 inclined to warp and twist, even in small sizes, to an extent which renders 

 it doubtful whether it could be used for any important work. The 

 texture is hard, with a marked difference between the soft and hard grain, 

 so that a very sharp tool would be required to obtain even a fairly 

 smooth surface. The colour is of a light brownish-yellow with dark 

 streaks, and so strongly resembles the appearance of olive-wood that it 

 would be practically impossible to distinguish between the two woods 

 in any made article. 



The pores are very numerous and regularly placed, and are blocked 

 with a Ught -coloured substance. The medullary rays, which are parallel 

 and regular, are exceedingly fine and clearly marked. 



