TIMBER WOODS. 103 



species of Angelim, growing almost everywhere, and of which one is 

 less in bulk than the other : the former furnishes very superior cart- 

 naves ; and the larger species, when sawn into boards and planks, 

 makes excellent flooring : it is also valuable for mill-frames. 



Tapana grows to a very large size, and is well suited to all 

 building purposes : it is a strong tough wood, and may be sawn 

 into boards for flooring and boat-building ; it is, however, chiefly 

 used by wheelwrights for felloes. 



Roble (Papilionaceoesp.). The Roble grows in great abundance 

 in some parts of the country, and commonly in good soils, where 

 it attains large dimensions. Though not in very extensive use, it 

 is yet an excellent timber of a dark orange colour, not over 

 hard, and easily sawn into boards and scantling ; it can be em- 

 ployed in almost any erection, and furnishes remarkably good and 

 lasting ground-posts. It possesses, when newly wrought, a very 

 agreeable odour, which it preserves indefinitely, and is of suffi- 

 ciently fine grain and polish to serve for furniture ; in fact, where 

 Locust is scarce, the Roble is used as a very efficient substitute. 



Carapa, or, by corruption, Crapaud (Carapa Cruianensis). 

 Besides the oil which is extracted from the seeds of the Carapa, 

 the tree itself supplies excellent timber. There are two distinct 

 varieties, both may be sawn into scantling, boards, and planks ; 

 they are also split into shingles and staves. The Carapa is very 

 extensively used as beams and rafters, and the lighter coloured 

 species, when well polished, makes fine furniture. Diameter, 

 from two to three feet. 



Capivi (Copaifera balsamifera) very much resembles the 

 "European walnut, and may be applied to the same uses, but 

 is not, perhaps, as much employed as it ought to be. It is an 

 excellent timber, of very large large size, and may serve the 

 purposes of the builder, wheelwright, turner, and cabinet-maker. 



Locust, or Courbaril (Hymencea Courbaril). This is one of 

 our most valuable woods, and might be used for all building pur- 

 poses, but mainly in ornamental work ; it is, however, almost 

 exclusively used for furniture, such as presses, bedsteads, side- 

 boards, tables, &c., and by wheelrights for carriage naves. Dia- 

 meter, five to six feet, and very lofty. 



Purple-heart, or Sapatero (Copaifera pubifora). The Purple- 

 heart is an excellent timber, and may serve in building as beams 

 and rafters ; but, from its rich dark colour, it is especially used 



