MAH 



MAH 



but it may be conceived to be farther di- 

 minished: and it is obvious, that we are 

 not to estimate the number of parts that 

 may be conceived in a given magnitude, 

 by those which, in particular determinate 

 circumstances, may be actually perceived 

 in it by sense, since a greater number of 

 parts become sensible, by varying the 

 circumstances in which it is perceived. 



MAGNOLIA, in botany, so named in 

 honour of Pierre Magnol, professor of 

 medicine, and prefect of the botanic 

 garden at Montpelier, a genus of the 

 Polyandria Polygynia class and order. Na- 

 tural order of Coadunatx. Magnolize, 

 Jussieu. Essential character: calyx three- 

 leaved ; petals nine : capsule one-celled, 

 two-valved ; seeds berried, pendulous, 

 There are seven species ; of which M. 

 grandiflora, great laurel-leaved magno- 

 lia, or tulip tree, in the southern provin- 

 ces of North America, grows to the 

 height of eighty feet : the trunk is more 

 than two feet in diameter ; the leaves 

 are nine or ten inches long, and three 

 broad in the middle, of a thick consist- 

 ence, resembling those of the common 

 laurel, but much larger ; of a lucid 

 green, sessile, and placed without order 

 on every side of the branches ; continuing 

 green all the year, falling off only as the 

 branches extend, and the new leaves are 

 produced. The flowers come out at the 

 ends of the branches : they are large, 

 and composed of eight or ten petals, 

 which are narrow at the base, broad, 

 rounded, and a little waved at their ex- 

 tremities ; they are of a pure white co- 

 lour, possessing an agreeable scent. The 

 summers in England are not warm enough 

 to bring the fruit to perfection. This fine 

 tree is a native of Florida and Carolina, 

 and, in common with many of the trees 

 and plants of that country, is impatient of 

 cold here, and difficult to keep in perfec- 

 tion, either abroad or housed. 



MAHERNIA, in botany, a genus of the 

 Pentandria Pentagynia class and order. 

 Natural order of Columniferae. Tiliacese, 

 Jussieu. Essential character : calyx five- 

 toothed ; petals five ; nectaries five, obcor- 

 date, placed under the filaments ; capsule 

 five-celled. There are three species, na- 

 tives of the Cape of Good Hope. 



MAHOGANY. The swietenia maha- 

 goni, or mahogany tree, is a native of the 

 warmest parts of America, and grows 

 also in the island of Cuba, Jamaica, His- 

 paniola, and the Bahama islands. It 

 abounded formerly in the low lands of 

 Jamaica ; but it is now found only on hills, 

 and places difficult of access. This tree 



grows tall and straight, rising often sixty 

 feet from the spur to the limbs ; and is 

 about four feet in diameter. The foliage 

 is a beautiful deep green, and the appear- 

 ance made by the whole tree very ele- 

 gant. The flowers are of a reddish or 

 saffron colour, and the fruit of an oval 

 form, about the size of a turkey's egg. 

 Some ot' them have reached to a mon- 

 strous size, exceeding one hundred feet in 

 height. In felling these trees, the most 

 beautiful part is commonly left behind. 

 The negro workmen raise a scaffolding of 

 four or five feet elevation from the 

 ground, and hack up the trunk, which 

 they cut into balks. The part below, 

 extending to the root, is not only of larger 

 diameter, but of a closer texture than the 

 other parts, most elegantly diversified 

 with shades or clouds, or dotted like er- 

 mine with spots : it takes the highest 

 polish, with a singular lustre. This part 

 is only to be come at by digging below 

 the spur, to the depth of two or three 

 feet, and cutting it through ; which is so 

 laborious an operation, that few attempt 

 it, except they are curious in the choice 

 of their wood; or to serve a particular. 

 purpose. The mahogany tree thrives in 

 most soils ; but varies in texture and 

 grain, according to the nature of the soil. 

 On rocks it is of a smaller size ; but very 

 hard and weighty, and of a close grain, 

 and beautifully shaded ; while the pro- 

 duce of the low and richer lands is ob- 

 served to be more light and porous, of a 

 paler colour, and open grain ; and that of 

 mixed soils to hold a medium between 

 both. This constitutes the difference be- 

 tween the Jamaica wood and that which 

 is collected from the coast of Cuba and 

 the Spanish Main ; the former is mostly 

 found on rocky eminences ; the latter is 

 cut in swampy soils, near the sea coast. 

 The superior value of the Jamaica wood, 

 for beauty of colouring, firmness, and 

 durability, may therefore be easily ac- 

 counted for ; and a large quantity of balks 

 and planks is brought from the Spanish 

 American coasts to Jamaica, to be ship- 

 ped from thence to Great Britain. This 

 wood is generally hard, takes a fine polish, 

 and is found to answer better than any 

 other sort in all kinds of cabinet ware. It 

 is a very strong timber, and was fre- 

 quently used as such in Jamaica in former 

 times. It is said to be used sometimes in 

 ship-building; a purpose for which it 

 would be remarkably adapted, if not too 

 costly; being very durable, capable of 

 resisting gun-shots, and burying the shots 

 without splintering. 



