254 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



at right angles by somewhat similar white Unes, making an uneven oblong 

 pattern of various sizes. The pores are scattered, numerous, and fairly 

 regular ; they are generally filled with gum. 



Schima Wallichii, Choisy. Weight, 44 lbs. India, Burma. 



This wood is reddish, fairly hard and tough, durable but apt to shrink 

 and spUt unless carefully seasoned. The tree is fairly common, and a 

 good quantity of timber can be obtained in squares 25 feet x 10 inches 

 X 10 inches. It is suitable for such work as bridges, building, and 

 planking. 



Schrebera swietenioides, Roxb. Weight, 57 lbs. (Gamble). India. 



This wood is described by Troup as " brownish-grey, hard, close- 

 grained, no definite heart-wood, but irregular masses of purple or claret- 

 coloured wood in the centre, and scattered throughout the tree ; durable 

 and of good quality. Used for ploughs, weavers' looms, utensils ; possible 

 substitute for boxwood for engraving." My specimen, taken from a 

 trunk sent over specially, is, however, a uniform yellowish -brown colour, 

 like a rather dull satinwood {Chloroxylon Swietenia). There is no trace 

 in the log of any other colour. The wood is smooth and close-grained, 

 but it is not, however, according to the specimen to which I have referred, 

 suitable for engraving, as Troup suggests. It should rather be employed 

 for cabinet and decorative work, for which its artistic appearance would 

 recommend it. 



The pores are regular and small. The medullary rays are also regular, 

 parallel, and unusually thick, showing plainly to the naked eye on the 

 transverse section. 



Sequoia. Sequoia sempervirens, Endl. Weight, 25 lbs. 5 oz. Southern 

 Oregon to Central CaUfornia. 



This timber is called sequoia in England and redwood in America. 

 It should not be confounded with the timber of the big tree {Sequoia 

 gigantea), which is not generally known in commerce. The trees are of 

 immense size, and yield exceedingly wide planks, which if necessary can 

 be obtained up to, or possibly over, 6 feet in width. When the merits of 

 this wood are considered, it seems strange that the demand is not more 

 general. It can be obtained free from defect in larger sizes than any other 

 timber, is easily worked, capable of a smooth surface from the tool, stands 

 exceedingly well, is of an agreeable colour, and very durable both indoors 

 and where exposed to the weather, and it can be procured at low cost. 



