470 



EXPLANATORY INDEX. 



imagine. It grows in tlie greatest abundance, can be easily 

 extracted from the leaf, and is not only strong, but light. 



SILK-GRASIi. 



SiLOABALi. — This name is sometimes spelt as Ciroubali, or 

 Siruabali. There are several trees going by this name, all be- 

 longing to the genus Eperna, and therefore allied to the 

 wallaba tree, q.v. The wood is excellent for ship- building, 

 and Mr. McTurk, who collected specimens of Guianan woods 

 for the Paris Exhibition of 1878, says that it is even better 

 than greenheart, q.v., and ought to be classed at Lloyds among 

 the A 1 woods. As the wood is light, and floats well, it is 

 much used for boat-building. 



When freshly cut, it has a strong aromatic scent, and the 

 juice is bitter. The ship-worm {Teredo) will not touch it, 

 and it is therefore useful for planking boats. 



Sloth, Three toed, or Ai {Bradypus tridactylus).— 

 AA^aterton's account of this animal is so full and accurate 

 that little needs to be added. The mark on the back of the 



