334 FORESTRY IN THE CROWN COLONIES. 



guianensis, Wallaba varieties, Corkwood {Pterocarpus draco), and 

 others. 



Division (2) comprises the most extensive forests of the easily- 

 accessible area ; it is the most important commercially, as it 

 contains most of the timbers of value which have been exported 

 for nearly a century. Various kinds of Kakeralli {Lecythis sp.) 

 are generally the dominant trees. In the forests bordering on 

 Division (1), (Enocarpus baccata, Mauritia Jlexuosa and Maximi- 

 liana regia are plentiful. Greenheart {Nectandra Rodiei), which is 

 of slow growth, is partly gregarious and also scattered in mixed 

 forest ; it is found in the lower parts of this division up to about 

 300 feet elevation. This timber has been exported for over 

 100 years and the most accessible areas have been denuded of it 

 to a considerable extent. Wallaba {Eperua falcata and Jenmani) 

 grow more or less abundantly throughout the greater part of the 

 forests. 



Balata {Mimusops glohosa or elata) grows in most parts of the 

 Colony, in the forests on the swamp lands and on elevated and 

 hilly country. It has been estimated that in swampy lands the 

 number of balata trees is less than 1 per acre, and on elevated and 

 hilly ground 2 to 3 per acre. 



3. Important Forest Produce. 



The forests of Guiana contain a very large number of species 

 of trees ; some 300 have been enumerated, but there are probably 

 a great many more. Only a few of these have, up to date, been 

 marketed. Of many species the local names only are as yet 

 available. Mechanical tests have been made on 15 kinds. The 

 majority of the woods are hard and very hard. Of other forest 

 produce, Balata is the chief item ; it has formed an important 

 article of export since the year 1863. Locust gum, the produce 

 of Hymencea Courbaril, is exported in comparatively small 

 quantities. Other gums are obtained from Protiuni heptaphyllum 

 and a species of the SapotacecB order. Rubber is obtained from 

 Sapium Jenmani and some forest vines and lianes, but the industry 

 is not of much importance. Tanning bark can be obtained from 

 many trees. Crab oil obtained from Carapa guianensis, is used 

 medicinally. Edible oils are obtained from Maximiliana regia 

 and also from other palms. 



