92 The Timbers of British Guiana. 



Authorities. -2. Bell, p. 10. 12. Hawtayne, p. 385. 17. Las- 

 lett, p. 451. 7. DaGama. 20. McTurk, No. 22. 21. Miers. 

 27a. Stone, p. 136. 



ANATOMICAL CHAKACTEBS. 



Identical with those of Kakeralli, No. 45, cf . Stone (27a), p. 136. 

 PI. IX., fig. 73. The Pores are perhaps a little larger. The Soft 

 Tissue is thicker than the Rays. 



Type Specimens. Authenticated by Bell, No. 90/2746. Imp, 

 Inst., No. 0186. 



91a. *EPERUA FALCATA. AUBL. 



(The E. Falcata of Blanco = Afzelia rhomboidea of Vidal, 



and not the present species.) 



Nat. Ord., LEGUMINOS^E. 



Synonyms, PANZERA FALCATA. WILLD. EPERUA RUBIGINOSA. 



MIQ. 



Alternative Names. Wallaba (2); " Pois sabre" (20); 

 " Jebaru-rana, Vouapa tabaca, Bainha de Espada, in Guiana " 

 (21), "and the Amazonas region" (21); "Parive, Eperu, in 

 French Guiana, also Wapa huileux " (1); " Wapa Patouve, in 

 Brazil" (7); " Wouapa, Woapa, Bijlhout, Bylhout, in Dutch 

 Guiana" (3); " Bimiti Wallaba" (?) (12); " Itoori Wallaba" 

 (2). Compare notes at the end of No. 91. 



Salient Features. A striking, purplish-red wood, which bleeds 

 crimson gum exceedingly freely; surface very sticky, readily col- 

 lecting the dust and becoming unpleasant to see or touch. 



Physical Characters. Weight (so far recorded), 62 Ibs. per 

 cubic ft. Hardness, Grade 3; very hard. Smell and taste like 

 creosote. 



Colour of Heartwood sharply defined from the dirty-white Sap- 

 wood ; darkens somewhat upon exposure to the air; surface dull. 

 Width of Sapwood, 1J-2 ins. 



Bark. |-J in. thick; smooth; not fissured, but apparently 

 shelling off in thin plates; colour grey to black. "Bitter, used 

 as an emetic " (21). This is not in agreement with my specimens. 

 Surface of log under bark finely striated. 



Uses, Qualities, etc. " Chiefly for shingles, which have been 

 known to last 40 years ; stands exposure under all circumstances ; 

 may be met with in logs from 30-80 ft. long by 15-20 ins. 

 square, free of Sap " (22). Splits very easily, straight and 

 fairly cleanly; takes nails badly; rather easy to saw; planes 

 moderately hard and well ; very troublesome to polish as it smears. 

 It should prove a valuable wood for export on account of its hard- 

 ness and resistance to decay. If cheap and abundant it would 

 make good paving-blocks. For most purposes its stickiness will 

 be against it. Two specimens were sent under the No. 91, but 



* As specimen No. 91a is the better known and typical wood we have placed it before- 

 No. 01 (ttt next page). 



