2o8 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



sweet partridge. The wood is close, heavy, and generally straight in the 

 grain. The colours are variously mingled, and most frequently disposed 

 in tine hair streaks of two or tliree shades, which in some of the curly 

 specimens cut plank-wise resemble the feathers of a bird. The partridge- 

 woods are very porous ; cut horizontally the annual rings appear almost 

 as two distinct layers ; the one hard, woody fibre, the other a much 

 softer substance thickly interspersed with pores ; this circumstance 

 gives rise to its peculiar figure, which often resembles that of the palm- 

 tree woods. Partridge-wood was often formerly employed in the Brazils 

 for shipbuilding, and is also known in our dockj^ards as cabbage-wood. 

 It is now principally used for walking-sticks, umbreUa and parasol sticks ; 

 in cabinet work and turning; and . . . also for fans." 



The very small pores are regularly distributed in groups, and are 

 generally plugged more or less with gum. The medullary rays are hardly 

 discernible on the transverse section, but show plainly to the naked eye 

 on the radial, finer than, though somewhat resembUng, the rays in beech. 



Pasania or Pasixia. Qnercus Junghuhuii, Miq. Weight, 41 lbs. 

 Formosa. 



In appearance this remarkable wood resembles a veritable cross 

 between the EngHsh sweet chestnut and English oak. The colour is 

 similar to that of the chestnut, from which it is only distinguished by 

 the presence of strong raeduUary rays. The pores show on the radial 

 section in a series of pretty, uneven lines, and improve the effect. It 

 should be a valuable decorative cabinet and trimming wood. 



The annual layers are very strongly marked, there being a very wide 

 and distinct difference between the spring and the autumn growth. 

 The pores are scarce and small. The medullary rays are very sparse, 

 uneven, and irregular. 



Patapsco or Papapsco. 



For some reason which remains unexplained, this is a name given to 

 a particular form of figured maple {q.v). The figure is a curly, wavy 

 mottle with a bUster, or indications of blister, without any bird's-eye 

 being apparent. 



Pau Amarello. Source unknown. Weight, 56 lbs. 3 oz. Brazil, 

 Para. 

 This wood has a grain hke a fine Spanish mahogany, but is of a bright 

 rich, warm golden-yeUow colour. The tint is not that of satinwood, but 

 is more Hke a bright prima vera. It is used in Para for decorative 

 cabinet work and for flooring. It has never been imported on a commer- 

 cial basis, although it is such a handsome wood that it would be much 



