Description of the Woods in the Collection. 31 



30. NECTANDKA SP. 

 Nat. Ord. } LAURINE.E. 



Alternative Names. " Sipiri " (2); " Sipiera, Yellow Green- 

 heart "(22). 



Salient Features. The same as those of Bibiru, but it is- 

 generally lighter in colour, and has the aspect of a rather inferior 

 wood. In all other respects the wood is indistinguishable from the- 

 previous species. 



Type Specimen. Bell, No. 29/2826. 



31. TABEBUIA SP. 

 Nat. Ord., BIGNONIACE^E. 



Alternative Names. " Hackia " (2); " Lignum-vitse " (4<z) ; 

 " Iron-tree, Iron-wood, Eisenholz of Martinique, West Indisches- 

 Eisenholz" (28); " Ijzerhout in Dutch Guiana" (3a). The 

 Hacki mentioned by Miers is evidently not this species. 



Salient Features. An extremely hard, heavy, solid, fine- 

 grained wood of an uniform dark brown colour. 



Physical Characters. Weight (so far recorded), 81 J Ibs. per 

 cubic ft. Hardness, Grade 1, excessively hard; compare Jamaica 

 Lignum-vitae, but not so flinty. Smell or taste 0. 



Colour of Heartwood sharply denned from the Sapwood ; finely 

 shaded with lighter brown ; darkens a little on exposure to the air ; 

 surface bright; cold to the touch. Sapwood light brown or 

 brownish- white ; width about 1 in.; contour irregular. 



Bark. J-f in. thick, resembling that of Scots Fir, and scales- 

 in a similar way. The scales are marked off in section by fine 

 white lines. Surface of log beneath Bark, striated. Some skinny- 

 bast. 



Uses, Qualities, etc. " Cogs and shafts, but it is almost too- 

 hard and heavy for any other purpose " (20). " Average height 

 about 45 feet. It will square about 12 ins. free of Sap not very 

 readily procurable " (2). Polishes well and makes handsome- 

 walking-sticks, which are almost unbreakable. Almost as hard 

 to saw as Lignum-vitae; takes nails badly, being too hard and 

 fissile; planes hard and very badly; turns hard and badly .^ A 

 valuable and handsome wood, which should be useful, especially 

 for such purposes where great hardness is essential. Sometimes 

 confused with Hacki and other Iron woods, and possibly with 

 Lignum-vitae. From the latter it may easily be distinguished, as- 

 Lignum-vitae has bark that sinks like stone in water, a flinty hard- 

 ness which will turn ihe edge of a knife, and a peculiar, sickly, 

 resinous odour when burnt. This is not the same wood as that 

 described under the name of Hackia in 27#., p. 142. 



Authorities. -2. Bell, p. 5. 3a. Berkhout. 4a. Boulger, p. 

 425. 12. Hawtayne, p. 386. 17. Laslett, p. 451. 20. McTurk, 

 p. 5. 206. ditto, p. 188. 



