CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 129 



circumference to heart the defect is Uttle found, but in those trees where 

 the heart-wood is soft and spongy, or, as it is termed in America, " punky," 

 the cross-breaks abound. In these trees the annual layers or rings are 

 much closer and compact in later life, so that the portion of the tree 

 which is hkely to be cross-broken can often be very nearly estimated 

 by the expert from the appearance of the butt, which will show approxi- 

 mately the point where the tree began to make slow growth. In such 

 case the difference between the strength of the outer and inner layers 

 must be very considerable. It seems, therefore, quite possible that in 

 later life the inner portion dries up and shrinks, and, being bound in 

 by the close, strong outer layers, a strain is caused which snaps the 

 fibres of the soft and weaker parts. This theory is supported by an 

 observation of other varieties, where the heart-wood is found to be more 

 regular, and almost, if not quite, as strong and compact as the outer 

 wood, and in which heart-breaks are rarely found. ^Vhateve^ the 

 reason may be, this fault has caused many a disappointment to the 

 over-sanguine purchaser, who finds his £500 log stricken with this com- 

 plaint. There is no doubt that the figured wood is more liable to the 

 defect than the mild, straight-grained plain logs. 



The varieties known as " Sapeli " and " cherry " mahogany are not 

 liable to soft hearts, as the character of the annual layers is uniform 

 throughoiit the life of the tree, and in these kinds cross-breaks are rarely 

 found. 



It has now been seen that of the several varieties of mahoganies and 

 other hard-woods shipped from the different ports on the West Coast, the 

 larger proportion are offered and sold under the general term " African 

 mahogany." Many of these are not true mahoganies, and others, though 

 bearing some resemblance, yet vary to such an extent that the difference 

 is easily recognisable. Those shipments which are recognised by the 

 trade as being true mahogany are the varieties which are now to be 

 described. 



Benin. Weight, 38 lbs. 9 oz. — This mahogany must now be con- 

 sidered the best obtainable from the coast. Benin, Grand Bassam, and 

 Lagos wood most nearly resemble the supplies from Honduras. The 

 colour is the true bright mahogany-red, though slightly browner than 

 other varieties ; the wood works well under either hand or machine 

 plane, for it possesses the quality which is termed " a good bottom." 

 It stands well without shrinking, warping, or twisting, and the large 

 sizes in which it can be obtained add to its value. It is especially good 

 for panels, for which it is superior to most other mahoganies. The 

 grain, although not liable to twist or buckle, is more tough and inter- 

 woven, which renders it less liable to spHt or fly in pinning. The more 

 figured wood, which is unsuitable for panels, proves attractive for 



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