LOCUST MAHOGANY. 237 



p' -97 1-06./4-46./M 7. c2998 3791. c' -396 -5. fc 3-33-5. 

 v -772 -953. When freshly felled light reddish brown, soon 

 darkening on exposure to light ; vessels equally distributed ; 

 annual rings distinct ; pith-rays fine, but distinct ; sapwood only 

 f 1 in. thick ; heart generally heavy, hard, close and straight in 

 grain, difficult to split, susceptible of a very high polish, with a 

 beautiful satiny lustre, and sometimes with a wavy figure that 

 much enhances its value as a furniture wood. It does not, as a 

 rule, shrink or warp, and is superior to all other woods in taking 

 a firm hold of glue : it is also durable. Of the varieties above 

 enumerated Cuba or Spanish Mahogany yields accurately squared 

 timber 18 35 ft. long and 11 24 in. square, very solid at centre, 

 rarely affected by cup or star-shake and with insignificant heart- 

 shake. Its specific gravity ranges from 720 817. W 53. e' 1-71. 

 p' 1-06. c 3791. c' -5. v' -953. It has been used as an Oak-substitute 

 in ship- building for beams, planks, and stanchions, whilst figured 

 logs demand high prices for furniture. St. Domingo Mahogany 

 is very similar in quality, but much smaller, generally 8 10 ft. 

 long and 12 or 13 in. square, though occasionally 25 ft. long and 

 15 in. square. It is very hard, almost horny, a stress of 4300 Ibs. 

 per square in. being required to indent it ^ in. transversely to 

 the fibres. It is mostly figured, presenting a rich curl or feather at 

 the bases of its branches. It is entirely used for cabinet-work, 

 especially for veneers. Nassau Mahogany is similar, but even 

 smaller, measuring 3 or rarely 5 ft. in length and 6 or rarely 

 12 in. square. It is used in turnery. Honduras Mahogany, 

 reaching 50 ft. at its first branch and 3 ft. in diam., yields logs 

 25 40 ft. long and 12 24 in. square, or even larger. It is 

 seldom figured, becomes somewhat brittle on drying, and is apt to 

 develop deep star-shakes. S.G. 644684. W 35. e' I'll, 

 p' -99. c 2998. c' -396. v' -806. Stress required to indent it 

 ^V in- transversely to its fibres 1300 Ibs. It is known commer- 

 cially as "Bay wood," and, besides being used as an Oak- 

 substitute in ship-building, is largely used in cabin fittings and 

 by cabinet-makers, turners, and carpenters. Some Mahogany sold 

 asJHonduras is really Guatemalan. Mexican Mahogany reaches 



