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AMERICAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 



235 



although of no great export value. They 

 are of greatest importance to the inhabit- 

 ants of the island, however. 



The names of the woods here given 

 are as they were written by the native 

 Porto Ricans who assisted in their col- 

 lection, and as they are spelled in the 

 Commercial Directory of Porto Rico. 



Among the products of the forest the 

 following trees are used by man : 



For Timber and Fuel Algarroba, 

 Ausubo, Capa Blanca, Capa Prieta. 

 Laurel Sabino, Laurel Blanca, Guaya- 

 can, Ucar (Ucare or Jucare), Espejuelo, 

 Moca, Maricao, Mauricio, Ortegon, 

 Tachuelo, Cedro, Cojoba, Aceitillo, 

 Guaraguao, Maga, Yaiti, Palo Santo, 

 Tortuguillo, Zerrezuela, Guayarote, Hi- 

 guereta, Tabanuco, Mora, Hueso, 

 Hachuelo, " Ileucedran." 



For Cordage. Mahagua, a tall mal- 

 vaceous bush. 



For Dyeing and Tanning. Moca, 

 Brasilete, Achiote, Granadillo, Maricao, 

 Dividivi, Mora, Gengibrillo, Camasey, 

 Vijao, Mangle. 



Resinous Trees. Tabanuco, Pajuil, 

 Algarrobo, Mamey, Masa, Cupey, Maria, 

 Guayaco. 



Forest Trees Yielding Fruits. 

 Pina, Nispero (Medlar Tree), Mango, 

 Guanabana, Cocotero, Aguacate, Na- 

 ranjo, Jacana, Mamey, Wild Orange. 



The writer, during his stay upon the 

 island, collected sixteen specimens of 

 the native woods, which are utilized by 

 the people in construction and other in- 

 dustries. Nine of these were found to 

 be very hard, close grained and heavy. 

 The samples of equal size and of ap- 

 proximately the same condition vary but 

 little in weight and are remarkably simi- 

 lar in hardness. The following shows 

 the comparative weight of the nine sam- 

 ples. 



Mora, 61.8 pounds per cubic foot; 

 Guayacan, 76.8 pounds per cubic foot ; 

 Hueso, 60.0 pounds per cubic foot ; Au- 

 subo, 70.2 pounds per cubic foot; Ucare 

 Negro, 64.2 pounds per cubic foot ; Pata 

 de Caba, 60.0 pounds per cubic foot : 

 Ucare Blanca, 61.8 pounds per cubic 

 foot; Hachuelo, 70.2 pounds per cubic 



foot : Algarrobo, 64.2 pounds per cubic 

 foot. 



Extreme density is shown by small 

 pores (ducts) and in numerous, minute, 

 mostly continuous medullary rays, im- 

 perceptible to the naked eye. The main 

 structure is made up of thick-walled 

 cells. The annual layers of growth are 

 small and comparatively indistinct, ow- 

 ing to the irregular diffusion of the large 

 ducts, which in most northern woods 

 clearly mark the layers of growth. The 

 wood fibers are strongly interlaced 

 (cross-grained), giving a "tough," un- 

 cleavable character to the wood. The 

 samples of Mora, Guayacan, Hueso and 

 Ucare Blanca show a tendency to check 

 and warp in seasoning, while Ausubo, 

 Ucare Negro, Pata de Caba, Hachuelo, 

 and Algarrobo appear to maintain good 

 form in drying out. The injury from 

 checking of the former is, however, not 

 great, and appears not to impair the 

 usefulness of these woods for certain 

 purposes. All are capable of receiving 

 a high polish and require but little "fill- 

 ing." 



Ausubo, Ucare Negro, Pata de Caba, 

 Hachuelo and Algarrobo are eminently 

 cabinet woods of great value and attrac- 

 tiveness ; Mora and Ucare Blanca are 

 less attractive for this purpose, but may 

 have limited use. Guayacan and Ausubo 

 are especially adapted for small turnery, 

 tool handles, etc., where great hardness 

 and wearing qualities are needed. Pata 

 de Caba and Algarrobo closely resemble 

 the rosewoods of commerce. With a 

 permanent black stain, Ucare Negro 

 and Hachuelo are useful substitutes for 

 Ebony. Ausubo is similar in appear- 

 ance and a good substitute for the valu- 

 able " Coccobola" (Coccoloba), so much 

 imitated by inferior woods. Laurel Sa- 

 bino, Cedro, Capa Blanca, Capa Prieta, 

 Guaraguao and Maga are characteristi- 

 cally lighter, softer and coarser grained 

 than the nine species above mentioned. 

 The weight of these samples varies but 

 little, the average being 38 pounds per 

 cubic foot. With the exception of Lau- 

 rel Sabino, all are attractive in grain 

 and suitable for finishing woods. 



