12 



THE CUB A 11 E \ 1 E ^\■ 







Barriguda is one of the most curious trees in Brazil and yields a sreat deal of silk-cotton. 



well-known ceiba tree near Ponce, Porto Rico, which measures 108 feet in circumference four 

 feet above the ground, by following the depressions and elevations of the trimk, is said to 

 have been visited by Columbus in 1493, and that it was already at that time a tree of very 

 large proportions. Those who have studied tlie ceiba trees for years are of the opinion that they 

 do not attain an age of more than two hundred and fifty or three luuvlred years. 



There is probably no other forest tree that has such a wide range of distribution. It seems 

 to find its best development in Cuba and certain other West Indian islands, but it grows 

 abundantly on the mainland of tropical America, tropical Africa, East Indies, and in mam' 

 of the South Sea islands. There is a good deal of superstition connected with this tree and in 

 many parts of the world the natives refuse to fell the ceiba because it is believed by manj- of 

 the simple-minded inhabitants of the warm countries that ceiba trees growing close to their 

 habitations protect them against the evil spirits and wild animals. The laatives of Africa are 

 quite prone to this belief and it is largely due to this fact that the artificial range of the ceiba 

 has been greatly extended. The tree is probably not a native of Africa, where it is now grow- 

 ing more extensively than in any other part of the world. 



The uses of the ceiba are very numerous. Ever}' part of the tree is available in one form 

 or another, and it is believed that after these uses are better known to the industrial world 

 the tree will become an important factor in the management of tropical forests and their 

 utilization. The wood of the ceiba will sooner or later form an important article of trade, 

 for its properties are such that it can easily be made available for a good many purpo.ses. It 

 is nearly white when freshly cut, quite soft, very light, and when well seasoned, weighs onh- 

 about 28 pounds per cubic foot. Ceiba wood has been tried as a substitute for cork, both 

 for life preservers and for floats of fishing nets, but it is liable to become water soaked, and in 

 its natural state is not available for making life-saving devices. The wood when seasoned 

 in the log is apt to become discolored, but this defect can be easily overcome by cutting the 

 log into planks while it is still green, or by seasoning the log in fresh water. The wood is 



