Papers.] HILL ON CONSTRUCTIONAL WOODS OF BRITISH GUIANA. 5 



convey about 80 tons of heavy timbers attached to the sides, 

 supported on cross-beams suspended by means of strong slings 

 made of bush-rope from two corresponding cross-beams lying across 

 the deck above. Owing to the high specific gravity of greenheart 

 and other hard woods it would be impossible to form floating rafts 

 of the timber, as is done with the lighter wooJs of the northern 

 hemisphere ; but by suspending them in the water in the manner 

 described, the actual weight borne by the punt or floating pontoon 

 is only the difference between the weight of the timber and that 

 of the water displaced by it. Over the main body of the punt is 

 sometimes built an open house or Indian bush benab, in which the 

 crew, frequently one or two aboriginal Indians with their families, 

 swing their hammocks and live for some weeks whilst the punt 

 with its suspended load of timber slowly drifts down the river to 

 the timber-flats in Georgetown or New Amsterdam, or to a ship- 

 loading station on one of the main rivers of the Colony, the 

 Essequebo, Demerara, and Berbice being navigable for large sea- 

 going vessels to a distance of about 100 miles from their mouths. 



The following are the names and characteristic features of the 

 principal woods of commercial importance grown in the Colony : 



GREENHEART (Nectandra Rodiei), Specific Gravity 1'41. This wood 

 is highly valued for all classes of submerged work, wharves, piles, 

 dock- and lock-gates, etc. It is classed as one of the eight first- 

 class woods at Lloyd's. In the colony it is largely used for bridge 

 building, house frames, foundations, mill timbers, and many other 

 purposes. It saws readily into planks and scantlings, planes well 

 and easily, especially across the grain, and takes a good polish. 

 The wood is found in all gradations of colour between green and 

 black, and varies in weight between 62 Ibs. and 75 Ibs. per cubic 

 foot, the oldest timber being the darkest and heaviest. It can be 

 obtained in logs up to 70 feet in length and 1 foot 6 inches to 

 2 feet square. 



BULLET TREE (Mimusops Balata), Specific Gravity 1-084. A dark 

 red and very close-grained wood of excellent and durable quality. 

 Its uses are similar to those of greenheart. Owing to its toughness, 

 it was a favourite wood for windmill-arms when those machines 

 were more in use than at present. It saws easily and finishes 

 smoothly, takes a fine polish with little trouble, and is an excellent 

 wood for turning. From this tree is extracted the caoutchouc gum 

 known as Balata, equal in quality to Para rubber. The bleeding 

 process, however, affects the colour and texture of the wood until 

 the tree has had time to recuperate. It can be obtained in logs up 

 to 50 feet in length and 2 feet to 3 feet square. 



