CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 147 



Mahogany, Guatemalan. Weight, 38 lbs. 9 oz. Guatemala. 



This mahogany is of a brighter red colour than Honduras, and in 

 character and texture more resembles Cuban, and is, indeed, often in- 

 distinguishable from it. It finishes with an exceedingly smooth surface 

 from the tool, and stands very well. It is obtainable in large to very 

 large squares, ranging even up to 4 feet, but it is generally exported in 

 rather short lengths, rarely over 14 feet long, the average being not more 

 than II to 12 feet. The logs are somewhat faulty, often much shaken, 

 and liable to wormy and decayed centres. Occasionally very sound fine 

 trees are found, and a few are beautifully figured. The white chalky 

 grain which is a feature of Cuban and San Domingo mahogany is very 

 prevalent in Guatemalan, and it is largely used as a substitute for these 

 varieties. 



The concentric layers are sharp and defined to the naked eye ; the 

 medullar}^ rays are distinct, regular, and nearly parallel ; the pores 

 are irregular in size and position. 



Mahogany, Honduras. Weight, 29 lbs. 12 oz. Central America 

 (Honduras). 



Large quantities of mahogany have for many years been imported 

 from Honduras ; probably the best in quality of which has been 

 shipped from Belize. It is received in hewn square logs and in the 

 round, and also, of later years, in square sawn boards and planks. This, 

 however, has been exported first from Honduras to North America, where 

 it was sawn and thence re-exported in the various grades and qualities 

 of the National Hardwood Lumber Association. 



The wood is similar to the other mahoganies of Central America, 

 though for a great many purposes it is superior to all. It is lighter in 

 weight and milder in texture than the Spanish or Cuban. The dimensions 

 in which it has been produced are larger than any other kind obtainable 

 from Central America. In common with all other mahoganies, the 

 forests yield a small proportion of highly figured pieces which are in great 

 demand. Unlike the Spanish or Cuban wood, w^hich darkens with 

 exposure, that from Honduras bleaches, and when exposed to exception- 

 ally strong rays from the sun, the colour inclines to a beautiful golden 

 brown or even greyish shade. Although very occasionally a tree wiU be 

 found to possess the white, chalky substance so common in the Spanish 

 wood, yet it is unusual, and Honduras mahogany generally has a more 

 or less black marking in the pores, some trees containing both the black 

 marking and the white. 



This timber has at times been called " baywood " (q.v.), the term 

 referring to the Bay of Honduras, from which the w^ood was obtained. 



The pores are irregular both in size and position, and are not very 



