106 TRINIDAD. 



Maussara, or Bread-nut (Artocarpus incisa, var. Mucifera). 

 Its seeds are eatable, much resembling the chestnut, when 

 roasted ; and the wood is excellent, both for furniture and build- 

 ing : it attains large dimensions, and is pretty abundant. 



Galba (Colophyllum) is one of our finest forest trees, and 

 when of large size, is principally used for the fabric of canoes ; 

 though it may also be sawn into scantling, boards, and planks, and 

 is then applicable to all sorts of constructions. It, however, con- 

 tains a sort of gum-resin, which materially impedes the free action 

 of the saw. When set in rows, the Galba grows thick, and forms 

 excellent hedge fences, which are easily kept down by periodical 

 prunings. 



Sand-box Tree (Hura crepitans) . The Sand-box tree matures 

 to proportions equal to those of the Ceyba and Cedar : it thrives in 

 the best soils, and near the sea-shore. This wood is only used, as 

 far as I am aware, for canoe-hulls, which are hollowed out ac- 

 cording to the dimensions of the trunk or block ; but, as it is 

 light and durable, it might also be rendered serviceable in other 

 respects. The Mora, Cedar, Galba, and Sand-box are possessed, 

 in all probability, of the qualities required in ship-building, and, on 

 this account alone, may be reckoned as very valuable. 



Manchineel (Hippomane Mancinella). It is well known that 

 the Manchineel-tree is a deadly poison : it would also appear to 

 preserve its poisonous qualities for an indefinite period. I know 

 of an instance in which a planter having found, lying on the beach, 

 a Manchineel tree which, from all appearances, had been there 

 for years, thought he should be able to make it of service in some 

 way or other; but he was soon obliged to desist. The Manchineel 

 wood is, otherwise, a valuable timber, and might be used in build- 

 ing and ornamental works. 



Besides the hitherto enumerated forest trees, there are others 

 which are, or might be, turned to advantage. From the Moricyp, 

 Genipa,Moripa,Caracoli,and Pois-doux (Inga fceculiferd) , also from 

 the Land-grape, Carapa, and even Cedar, are prepared excellent 

 staves ; the latter, however, ought to be discarded in this respect 

 on account of its bitter taste and discolouring properties. The 

 Mirobolant (Hernandia) , Chestnut-tree (Carolinea), Mombin or 

 Wild Plum (Sjpondias)^ and other soft woods, supply good, cheap, 

 and easily procured headings for hogsheads. 



Many other plants are similarly brought into practical and 



