156 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



TABLE LXXVI. 



Vertical Experiments. Four pieces, Nos. 26, 27, 28, and 29, each 2x2 

 inches, and respectively 



123 4 Inches in length. 



Crushed with 27-25 127-2875! 25-875 | 25.862 Tons. 

 = 436880. 8 = 3498. 



THE MORA TREE (Mora excelsa\ 



the produce of Demerara and the island of Trinidad, is 

 a tree of straight growth, yielding timber in the log of 

 1 8 to 35 feet in length, and 12 to 20 inches square. 



The wood is of a chestnut-brown colour, hard, heavy, 

 tough, strong, and generally straight in the grain, but 

 has occasionally a twist or waviness in the fibre, which 

 imparts to the logs possessing it a beautifully figured 

 appearance, giving to them much additional value. As 

 it takes a good polish, it would be useful as a substitute 

 for Rosewood, or dark Spanish Mahogany in cabinet 

 making, and might be employed for many purposes in 

 the domestic arts. 



The economical uses of the Mora are somewhat 

 restricted by the frequency of star-shake in the logs, and 

 only the best trees can be advantageously converted 

 into plank and board ; it may, however, be used with 

 greater profit for beams, keelsons, engine-bearers, &c., in 

 ship-building, and in a general way in large scantlings for 

 either civil or naval architecture. 



The Mora possesses great strength, and contains an 

 oily or glutinous substance in its pores, which is probably 

 conducive to its durability. 



