158 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



The island of Trinidad also produces the Carapo and 

 the Balata trees, both of which attain moderate dimen- 

 sions. 



Sample logs of the Carapo timber were a few years 

 since sent to Woolwich Dockyard, with a view to their 

 introduction for ship-building purposes. The wood was red 

 in colour, straight in the grain, of moderate weight and 

 hardness, and somewhat resembled inferior mahogany. 



It had, however, a strong tendency to split and tear 

 to pieces in seasoning, and in only a few months it was 

 so far deteriorated by shakes as to be unfit for almost 

 any purpose in carpentry. 



The wood of the Balata tree was dark red in colour 

 fine, close, and straight in the grain hard, heavy, strong, 

 and somewhat resembled the African timber of com- 

 merce, except that the centre of the logs was very shaky. 

 Decay, with hollowness, had set in about the pith in 

 some of the logs, indicating that it had commenced 

 while the trees were still young, and otherwise strong 

 and vigorous. 



When the logs referred to had been kept for only a 

 few months to season, the ends split open very much, and 

 as these splits or shakes crossed each other at nearly 

 right angles, and extended rapidly, they seemed likely 

 soon to separate the pieces into four quarters, a serious 

 defect which disqualified them for use in large scantlings, 

 and rendered them only fit for some inferior purposes. 



Judged by the samples of Carapo and Balata, it 

 seems that neither are suitable for important works of 

 construction; it is therefore doubtful whether any supplies 

 will be now imported. 



The following woods, the growth of French Guiana, 

 were selected under a commission appointed by the 



