WEST INDIA ISLANDS AND CENTRAL AMEEICA 151 



tree's existence, and the defect is not noticeable until the 

 wood is cut up ; for this reason it is seldom used for 

 beams carrying loads. Some sabicu planks were laid on 

 the roadway of St. George's landing stage at Liverpool 

 a short time ago, but were not found suitable for 

 vehicular traffic and had to be taken up after six 

 months. It was used as steps in the Exhibition building 

 of 1851, and the same steps were in use in the Crystal 

 Palace at Sydenham nine years after. Sabicu is classed 

 with karri, jarrah, blue gum, and other timbers in 

 Lloyd's List. It is used by cabinet-makers and turners in 

 Great Britain, and one sometimes sees an advertisement 

 asking for small pieces of this wood. 



The wood is heavy, about 59 Ibs. per cubic foot, hard, 

 and strong. 



Lancewood (Guatteria virgata) is imported chiefly from 

 Jamaica in the shape of spars 4 or 5 inches in diameter, and 

 in large quantities. It is used for the shafts of dogcarts, 

 carriages, etc., also for fishing rods. The tree is only about 

 9 inches diameter with the bark on. The grain is close 

 and straight, and the wood wiry, flexible, and tough ; the 

 colour is greenish to yellowish, showing no difference 

 between the heart and sapwood ; it is often confused with 

 degame wood. 



Weight 52 to 63 Ibs. per cubic foot. 



Degame (Calycophyllum candi/lissimum) grows plentifully in 

 Cuba to a height of 40 or 50 ft., and logs may be got about 

 12 inches square. The wood is of pale yellow colour, very 

 fibrous and close grained, somewhat resembling boxwood : 

 it is strong and elastic, easily worked, almost free from 

 knots, takes a good polish, and is very durable. Used 

 extensively in house framing and joinery : joiners in its 



