78 BULLETIN 354, V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



XIX. Meliace^. 



*71. Cedrela odorata L. Cedro, Cedro hembra; West Indian cedar; Spanish cedar; 

 Cigar-box cedar (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 50 to 100 feet high and from 4 to 6 feet in diameter, formerly common 

 to all parts of the island, but now rare except in the inaccessible places. Spanish 

 cedar is one of the most highly esteemed woods in the West Indies and is used for 

 more purposes than any other. Its principal use, however, is for cigar boxes. 



The wood is pale reddish-brown, but varies considerably from very light to very 

 dark, depending upon the age and the kind of soil in which it grows. It has a general 

 appearance similar to that of mahogany and possesses a characteristic fragrant odor. 

 It is moderately soft, light (about 30 pounds per cubic foot), rather strong, somewhat 

 tough, and very durable in contact with the soil. Pores are rather large, not numerous, 

 solitary, or often in small groups distributed evenly throughout the wood. Pith rays 

 few, narrow, and indistinct to the naked eye. 



*'J'3. Swietenia inahagoni Jacq. Caoba; Mahogany (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 50 to 100 feet high and from 3 to 5 feet in diameter; This tree has not 

 been reported from Porto Rico by recent botanical explorers. There is some e^^.dence, 

 however, that mahogany occurred at one time on the island. It is the most highly 

 esteemed wood for furnitui'e and Interior finish. No other wood has such a wide range 

 of uses and so many substitutes. 



Wood light or dark brown, with a very pleasing appearance when polished. It is 

 fine and cross grained, worlis rather easily, hard, heavy (varies from 35 to 67 pounds 

 per cubic foot), strong, tough, and very durable. Pores are moderately large, often 

 filled with white or brown substance (tyloses), and arranged singly or in small groups; 

 pith rays inconspicuous to the unaided eye. 



*73. Melia azedarach L. Alilaila, Lilaila, Pasilla; China berry (Br. W. I.) 



Tree from 20 to 50 feet high and from 8 to 15 inches in diameter, cultivated and 

 growing spontaneously in various parts of the island, including the Cordillera Central 

 and the limestone formation of the western and southwestern coast. This tree has 

 been introduced from Asia and is now very common throughout tropical and sub- 

 tropical parts of the world for shade and ornament. The wood is sometimes used by 

 the countrjr people for tool handles and the like. 



Wood mahogany colored, with a coarse and straight grain, moderately soft, Ught, weak, 

 and not durable in contact with the soil. Pores rather large in early wood, which ren- 

 der the boundary of the annual rings of growth usually very conspicuous; the pores 

 in the late wood are much smaller and inconspicuous. 



*NoTE. — ^An umbrella variety of the alilaila, Melia azedarach umbraculifera 

 Sarg. (Umbrella China tree, China berry (Br. W. I.), which was developed in 

 Texas in about 1880, is planted i-U Porto Rico merely for shade and ornament. 

 The wood has characteristics similar to the one above. 



*74. Guarea tricMKoides L. Guaraguao, Acajou; Musk wood (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 40 to 80 feet high and sometimes 6 feet in diameter. It occui*s in mountain 

 forests from the Luquillos to Maricao and is one of the leading woods of the island, 

 being very highly prized by the natives. Because of the great demand it is now rather 

 scarce. Its principal uses locally are for strong wagons and carriages, farm imple- 

 ments, and general carpentry. The wood resembles mahogany and Spanish cedar 

 and is useful for the same pxirposes. 



Wood light reddish-brown, sometimes streaked with lighter and darker shades, 

 hard, moderately heavy, strong, tough, and very durable in contact with the soil. 

 It has in a general way the appearance of dark-colored mahogany and an odor resem- 

 bhng musk. Pores small, very numerous, and connected by fine tangential Unes 

 of softer tissue which are scarcely visible to the unaided eye. Pith rays verj^ narrow, 

 numerous, and inconspicuous. 



*NoTE. — Another and little-known species of this genus is G. ramiflora 

 Vent. (Guaraguaillo, Guaraguao macho), a tree usually under 25 feet and rarely 



