2 



BULLETIN" 474, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



true mahogany by the aid of an ordinary hand lens, although in 

 exceptional cases a high-power microscope is necessary. Most con- 

 sumers of mahogany attempt to distinguish the wood by its general 

 appearance, grain, weight, and color. Such tests, however, can not 



Fig. 1. — Range of true mahogany (shown by shaded areas). 



be relied upon in all cases and are trustworthy only for those who 

 have for a long time worked or otherwise handled the woods. 



Perhaps half the lumber now sold and used as mahogany is not 

 true mahogany, the available supply of which is insufficient to meet 

 the large demand for mahogany furniture, interior finish, and the 

 like. During the year ending June 30, 1914, the total value of true 



