xxiv.] SABICU. 165 



protect it ; further, it works up well, and there is only a 

 trifling loss in its conversion. Therefore, as this wood is 

 known to be durable, it has much to recommend it to 

 the favourable notice of the manufacturer. 



There is one defect, however, occasionally met with 

 in the Sabicu, which must be set against the good 

 qualities before mentioned, as it is more common to this 

 than to any other timber with which we are acquainted. 

 This is a cross fracture of a very remarkable kind, and 

 of the greatest importance, from the fact that it can rarely 

 be detected until the log is in process of conversion. It 

 is then sometimes found that the longitudinal fibres of 

 the early and middle period of the tree's existence are 

 completely broken, while the outer woody layers of both 

 the duramen and alburnum are perfect. This defect will 

 sometimes occur in several places in the same tree. 



It is difficult to conjecture the cause of this, since it 

 cannot, one would think, be done by the concussion in the 

 fall of the tree, as that would, if any injury were done, 

 produce a more extensive fracture than has been noticed ; 

 one which would be apparent upon a superficial exami- 

 nation of the surface. I therefore incline to the opinion 

 that it is produced by the storms and hurricanes that 

 occasionally sweep over the island, swaying the trees to 

 and fro, and snapping the longitudinal fibres of the 

 stem, without breaking them completely off; the later 

 growth apparently strengthening, and most effectually 

 covering the defect. 



It may, however, be well to state, that in offering this 

 opinion of the cause of the cross fracture in Sabicu 

 timber, the same does not appear to affect the Mahogany 

 and other trees, the produce of Cuba, since no instance 

 of this peculiar defect has been found. 



Sabicu is used in ship-building for beams, keelsons, 

 engine-bearers, and stern-posts, and for pillars, cleats, &c. 



