xxiv.] GREENHEART. 153 



regard it when appropriating this timber to works of 

 construction. 



Owing to the difficulty of distinguishing the sap, 

 many either dispute its presence altogether, or assert that 

 if it exists it maybe safely employed the same as the sap 

 of Lignum Vitae ; this is, however, by no means certain, 

 as I have found that if it is placed in any damp or im- 

 perfectly ventilated situation, it decays much sooner than 

 the heartwood ; but, if used under more favourable 

 circumstances, its durability is very great. 



In connection with this question, a merchant and 

 importer of Greenheart timber said upon one occasion, 

 when we had a parcel under survey, that he was confident 

 a certain log had no sapwood upon it, for if it had, it 

 would be liable to the attack of a small worm, but that 

 the worm would not touch the heartwdod. The log 

 referred to was accordingly tested by cutting off a thin 

 cross section, and upon examination of the piece, there 

 were found in it several marks or traces of the worm, 

 which had penetrated to the depth of 2 to 3 inches; 

 the heartwood, or duramen, had not, however, been 

 touched. The gentleman at once admitted that, with 

 such evidence, he would take it as conclusive that there 

 was sap to the depth of 3 inches on the log, but that its 

 appearance had entirely deceived him. 



The case was no doubt exceptional, as the worm is 

 very seldom seen in this wood. 



Greenheart is extensively employed in ship-building 

 for keelsons, engine-bearers, beams, shelf-pieces, &c., and 

 for planking. It is also used for piles, and many other 

 purposes, but its application to the domestic arts is some- 

 what limited by its great weight. 



The strength of this wood exceeds that of most 

 others, whether it be tried by the transverse or tensile 



