132 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



Bathurst. A certain number of logs coming from other districts, and 

 especially from Axim, are of the same variety as what is generally known 

 as Sassandra wood. Nearly all these logs contain dark gum veins which 

 are more or less pronounced. The surface of the wood when planed is 

 very smooth and lustrous, but it is liable to crack and will sometimes 

 spUt in parallel longitudinal hues. Some very finely figured logs have 

 been seen which realised exceptionally high prices ; one log was sold for 

 over los. per foot superficial of one inch, which is equal to £6 per cubic 

 foot. As these figured logs, however, are always required for veneers, 

 and Sassandra wood has been found to crack when converted, it is not 

 now very favourabty received. This variety was also found in the 

 propeller-blades of the destroyed Zeppelins. It is probably the best 

 kind of wood for this purpose, especially if used in alternate layers with 

 cherry mahogany. 



Bathurst. Weight, 48 lbs. — Between the years 1894 and 1897 some 

 of the finest mahogany which has been seen from the West Coast of 

 Africa arrived from this port. The shipments then suddenly ceased, and 

 this class of mahogany has not since been seen. During the year 1913 

 a small shipment was sold in Liverpool which was catalogued as having 

 been shipped from Bathurst, but the quality was not comparable with the 

 original supply, or even at all similar to it. For firmness of grain and 

 texture, richness of colour and depth of quaUty, even good specimens 

 of Cuba and San Domingo would not surpass it. Slightly heavier than 

 these in weight, it was of a rich, red-brown colour, and a few logs were 

 obtained large enough to yield 28 inches, or even a little more, cut clear 

 of the heart, which contained the richest broken roe and mottle. 



The pores are very large and are sparse. The medullary rays, which 

 are exceptionally thick, are parallel and irregular. 



AssiNEE. Weight, 28 lbs. 9 oz. — Supplies of mahogany from Assinee 

 are remarkable on account of the extraordinary number of finely figured 

 trees which are obtained, many of which have realised almost fabulous 

 prices. Except in this respect, the wood is not on the whole so satis- 

 factory as the other kinds. In general character it is softer and lighter 

 in weight, and the defect of cross-breaks is perhaps found in Assinee 

 wood to the greatest extent of any, many large trees being entirely spoUt 

 by this fault. There is a noticeable scarcity of mild, straight-grained 

 wood, and a large proportion is of a poor colour. 



The pores are less abundant and more scattered than in the Lagos 

 wood, but in other respects it is similar. 



Axim. Weight, 30 lbs. i oz. — This quality is rather mixed ; a con- 

 siderable proportion yields bright, excellently coloured wood of good 

 texture, some of which is as fine as the best of any sorts, while on the 



