36 The Timbers of British Guiana. 



defined from the Sapwood, but without much contrast; surface 

 brilliantly lustrous. Sapwood much lighter with less red in it; 

 width about 3 ins. 



Bark. About J in. thick. " Contains a sticky gum " (20). 

 (This may be found under the bark in a dried condition, in old 

 specimens.) Of two layers; the inner chocolate-colour, rather 

 woody, containing the remains of the Rays ; the outer thin, rough 

 and scaling in smallish flakes. In section the scales are clearly 

 marked off. Surface of log beneath Bark, smooth. 



Uses, Qualities, etc. " Readily procurable in logs up to 30 ft. 

 in length, squaring 14 ins. is said to last well under water " (2). 

 " Will outlast almost any other wood at the bottom of a boat "" 

 (20). A wood of great beauty that deserves attention on account 

 of itrf pretty figure and other good qualities. (Specimen was full 

 of minute shakes.) Saws easily. Fissile, takes nails badly. 

 Planes and turns moderately hard but rather badly. Polishes 

 indifferently. Its value for export is doubtful. 



Authorities. 2. Bell, p. 6. 9. Dalton, p. 210. 12. Hawtayne, 

 p. 386. 17. Laslett, p. 452. 20. McTurk, p. 5. 



ANATOMICAL CHARACTERS. 



The same as those of Trysil, No. 55, with the following differ- 

 ences : 



CF. No. 39 FRONTISPIECE. 



Transverse Section. A little darker than the other sections. 



Pores. Visible with the unaided eye as holes (to good sight). 



Rays. Visible with the lens; about the width of a Pore apart. 



Rings. No boundary visible. 



Soft Tissue. None in concentric lines. 



Radial Section. The Pores exude gum in minute spots. The 

 Rays are very narrow, yet conspicuous flakes. 



Type Specimens. Authenticated by Bell, No. 35/2691. 



The wood described under this name (Hoobooballi) , in 27o > 

 p. 98, is not the same as the present species. 



Dalton mentions (p. 201) a wood under the names of " Hooboo- 

 balli or Surinam Snake-wood/' 



36. HUMIRIA SP. 

 Nat. Ord., HUMIRIACE^:. 



Alternative Names. " Hoorihee " (2); " Hoorihea " (12). 



Salient Features. A rather heavy, uniform, nut-brown to 

 chocolate-coloured wood with a white deposit in the Pores, readily 

 visible in all sections. 



Physical Characters. Weight (so far recorded), 55J Ibs. per 

 cubic ft. Hardness, Grade 4, hard; compare Yew or Hornbeam. 

 Smell or taste 0. Heartwood darkens but little on exposure to 

 the air; not defined from the Sapwood, as the outer wood is 

 nearly as dark in colour as the inner. Perhaps a Sapwood tree. 

 Surface bright. 



