124 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



from the tool, and has a bright, satiny lustre. A proportion of the trees 

 yield wood with dark purple, black, or blue-black streaks. Where uni- 

 formity of colour is required this portion would have to be separated, 

 although the quality of such boards or planks is as good as the creamy- 

 coloured pieces. It would be useful in pianoforte and all kinds of 

 cabinet and joiners' work. 



The pores are very small and indistinct, the concentric layers clearly 

 defined, and the fine medullary rays are clear and distinct. 



Mahoe, Blue. Hibiscus elatus, Sw. Weight, 48 lbs. Cuba, Central 

 America. 



This timber is imported in the form of logs, both hewn square and 

 round, from 8 to 20 feet long, and about 10 to 20 inches square. The 

 supply is small and intermittent. The wood is of a grey-blue colour, 

 sometimes having dark-blue streaks. The character, texture, and grain 

 are similar to Cuba mahogany. It has an agreeable aromatic scent, 

 and when worked the wood has a transparent, lustrous appearance. 

 It is strong, flexible, and elastic, and " does not corrode nails." (Leman, 

 Hortus Jamaicensis.) Weisner says that it has all the character of 

 the best European ash, but is more durable and longer in the fibre. 



It is surprising that such a beautiful wood should never have been 

 used for decorative work. It combines quahty of surface with a very 

 artistic colour, and a room trimmed with it would have the same appear- 

 ance in shade as genuine harewood (not the artificially coloured so-called 

 hare wood), and would be much more lasting and require less dehcate 

 treatment. It might also be used for inlay work, and would be excellent 

 for billiard cues. It is very durable when exposed to weather, or in 

 •contact with the ground, under both of which conditions the wood seems 

 to harden and improve. 



The pores are irregular and rather scarce, and are partially plugged 

 with a bright shining gmn. The medullary rays are very clear and 

 distinct, parallel and nearly equidistant. 



Mahogany. Central America, the West Indies, West Africa. 



The name mahogany has been applied, properly and improperly, to 

 many kinds of wood. In judging as to the legitimate use of the name it 

 must be remembered that originally mahogany was obtained solely from 

 the West Indies and subsequently the mainland of America, and that it 

 gained its unique reputation not only because of its decorative quahties, 

 such as colour, figure, lustre, and capability of taking a high polish, but 

 also because of its mechanical characteristics, which include relative 

 hardness, remarkably sHght shrinkage so that the wood stands well, and 

 also because of its considerable powers of repelling the attacks of beetles 



