xxiv.] SABICU AND LIGNUM 



167 



TABLE LXXXIL 

 Vertical Experiments on cubes of 



E = 972320. 



THE LIGNUM 



S = 3393- 

 TREE (Guaiacmn) 



is found on several of the West India Islands, and in 

 many other places, but the chief supplies come from 

 St. Domingo and Bahama. It attains, in the former, the 

 diameter of 22 inches, and some 30 to 40 feet in length ; 

 but the Bahama is generally very small. 



The wood is dark brown, or rather greenish black, 

 in colour, very hard, heavy, strong, and close and wiry in 

 the grain ; it is difficult to work in any fashion, but there 

 is nothing equal to it for the making of sheaves for 

 blocks, and when employed in this way it wears well, 

 and seems almost imperishable. I have examined some 

 sheaves after they had been in use for 50 to 70 years, and 

 found them perfectly good, and fit for further service. 



The sap-wood is yellow in colour, ^ to I inch in 

 thickness, and, like the sap of English Elm, is of such 

 exceptionable character, that it is equally as good and 

 durable as the heart-wood. In sheave making, a belt of 



