TREES OE PORTO RICO. 77 



XVII. SiMARUBACEiE. 



*66. Simaruba tulse Urb. Aceitillo; West Indian satinwood (Br. W, I.). 



Tree from 20 to 50 feet high and from 12 to 18 inches in diameter, occurring in moun- 

 tain forests from the Luquillos to Maricao. It is reported formerly to have been plen- 

 tiful on the limestone uplands north of Lares, in association with moralon and capa 

 blanca, and to have been cut into lumber for building purposes. Now so scarce as to 

 be no longer of any importance. Elsewhere in tropical America it is considered one 

 of the rarest and most expensive ornamental woods for furniture and interior finish, 

 being so much sought after that the stumps are often dug up and cut into veneer. 



Wood light yellow, very fine, and often wavy-grained, taking a high polish, hard, 

 heavy (about 55 pounds per cubic foot), strong, and dm-able. Pores small, isolated 

 or in groups of two or three, evenly distributed. Pith rays narrow, not visible to the 

 unaided eye. 



67. Picramnia pentandra Sw. Guarema, Hueso, Hueso prieto, Palo de hueso. 



Tree from 15 to 35 feet high and from 15 to 25 inches in diameter, occurring quite 

 generally on the island. Wood used in house building. 



Wood dark colored, fine grained, takiug a good polish, hard, and very heavy (about 

 76 pounds per cubic foot). Pores small, isolated or in groups of two or three, evenly 

 distributed. Pith rays narrow, inconspicuous. 



XVIII. BURSERACE^. 



68. Tetragastris balsamifera (Sw.) O. Kuntze. Masa, Masa Colorado, Palo de aceite, 



Palo de masa; Copal (Guatemala). 



A common forest tree from 20 to 70 feet high and from 16 to 20 inches in diameter, 

 found in the mountainous parts of the island. This tree yields a very desirable wood 

 for interior work of houses. 



Wood rose-colored or yellowish, beautiful, fragrant, and fine-grained, moderately 

 hard, light, strong, and very durable. Pores small, isolated or in groups of two to four, 

 evenly distributed. Pith rays small, inconspicuous. 



69. Dacryodes excelsa Vahl. Tabanuco, Tabonuco; Candle wood (Br. W. I.). 



A tree from 60 to 75 feet high and from 3 to 5 feet in diameter, found quite generally 

 injthe mountainous regions, especially in the Luquillos, where it often occurs in large 

 stands. One of the most valuable trees on the island for lumber, because of its large 

 size, straightness of bole, and occmrence in close, pure stands. A resin obtained 

 from the gum is used extensively by the natives for candles and torches, as incense, 

 and medicinally. The wood is used for flooring, ceiling, etc., and is often stained 

 and sold as mahogany. 



Wood brown, sometimes cross and fine grained, often giving a "satiny" appearance. 

 It is similar in physical properties to our yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), 

 lumber dealers of this country placing them in the same class. Tabanuco is, however, 

 handsomer and finer grained than yellow poplar and capable of a higher polish. It is 

 moderately hard, heavy, strong, and not durable when exposed. Pores small, soli- 

 tary, or in groups of two or two or three, and evenly distributed. Pith rays small, 

 inconspicuous. 



^^O. Bursera simaruba (L) Sarg. (=B. gummifera, Jacq.). Almacigo; Gumbo limbo. 

 West Indian birch (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 20 to 40 feet high, very common on the island. This is the largest tree 

 of the chaparral forests on the limestone hills of the south side of the island. Like the 

 jobo {Spondias lutea), it is readily propogated from cuttings, even from stakes of large 

 size. It is therefore used for "live" fence posts and is one of the commonest ti-ees 

 to be seen along the roadside, where it also serves, though poorly, for the purpose 

 of shade. The wood is of little value. 



Wood light brown, of tea with dark discolorations, fine grained, very soft, spongy, 

 light, weak, and very liable to decay. Pores numerous, small, isolated or in groups of 

 two or three, sometimes more. Pith rays very inconspicuous. 



