TIMBER WOODS. 107 



every-day utility, and among them several palms. When arrived 

 at full maturity, the Carat (Oopernicia) makes as good ground- 

 posts as any hard wood : its leaves, as also those of the Timite 

 (Manicaria saccifera) and Cocorite, supply a cheap and durable 

 thatch the two former especially and are extensively used when- 

 ever procurable. It is observable, however, that they are rarely 

 found together in the same parts; and according to their respective 

 prevalence, is the distinctive covering of cottage roofs to be known. 

 The Mountain-cabbage, the Manaco, Groo-groo, Palma Real, and 

 Cocorite, are split into rounded boards, which are employed by 

 the poor for the outer boarding and even flooring of their cottages, 

 and may also be used for inclosing poultry houses and yards, 

 sheep-folds, stable-boarding, &c. : they are cheaper and more 

 durable than White Pine boards. Gortaderas, or Sword Grass, 

 Cane-tapes, and Fox-tail grass are also used in thatching. 



The black and white Roseau (Badris and Gf-ynerium) are made 

 use of as laths for the laying on for thatch; the former also in 

 wattling or forming the framework of tapia a species of very 

 coarse stucco made of grass and clay whilst the leafy top of the 

 latter, though not so generally employed as it might be, supplies 

 a most excellent thatch-covering, being thick and very durable. 

 The Bamboo (Nastus Borbonicus) is extensively used as fuel in 

 lieu of mogass, in those districts where it is plentiful ; for that 

 purpose, it is cut about four feet long, and then split or 

 bruised, to allow a free escape of the air contained in the inter- 

 nodes, lest its expansion should occasion explosions, and thereby 

 damage the furnaces and flues. The Bamboo is also employed as 

 plantings for quickset hedges, and as rods for temporary fences ; 

 in the latter by being attached to the posts with some pliant lianes 

 or withes : baskets and fish-nets are commonly made from the 

 stem of this plant, in which branch of industry the Chinese im- 

 migrants excel. Its foliage supplies a rich fodder. A vine-like 

 palm (Desmoncus) is employed for securing the rods in field- 

 fencing, and might also serve in the manufacture of baskets : 

 the Carib basket water-tight when well woven is made of a 

 species of Calathea-Ahoman, or Aruma. The fact is, it is a 

 sort of double basket, the leaves of the Cachibou (Calathea) 

 being inserted between two coatings of wicker-work. With the 

 twiny roots of the Seguine (Philodendrum) are made neat hand- 

 baskets ; and the Mamure, split into small strips, serves the pur- 



