IDENTIFICATION OF TRUE MAHOGANY. 15 



The rays are not distinctly visible without a lens on the cross- 

 section. On radial surfaces they appear as fine reddish-brown 

 "flakes." 



RED GUM. 



(Liquidamiar styracifliia Linn.) 



Witch Hazel Family (Hamamelidace.^). 



othek names. 



Sweet gum; star-leaved gum; hazel wood; satin walnut (Europe) ; 

 sap gum (sap wood only). 



WHERE GROWN. 



In the United States south of a line from Connecticut through 

 southern Illinois and Eastern Texas, except in southern Florida. 

 It is very uncommon in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and 

 the surrounding highlands, but is found on the mountains of Central 

 and Southern Mexico and on the highlands of Guatemala. Most 

 abundant commercially in the bottom lands of the lower Mississippi 

 Valley. 



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. 



The wood is moderately heavy and moderately hard. It usually 

 has interlocked grain, which causes it to warp, especially when plain 

 sawed, unless properly seasoned. 



The heartwood is reddish-brown, varying more or less in shade. 

 It often contains darker streaks which add to its beauty. The sap- 

 wood is pinkish white unless blued by stain. It is often wide and is 

 sold separately as " sap gum." 



STRUCTURE. 



The pores are so small that they can not be seen without a good 

 magnifying glass. (See fig. 10.) This feature distinguishes red 

 gum from mahogany and mahogany-like woods. The pores are of 

 uniform size and distribution throughout each annual ring, making 

 it difficult to differentiate each year's growth, although on careful 

 examination with a lens a fine line can be seen separating the annual 

 growth layers. 



The rays are fairly distinct, but not at all conspicuous without a 

 lens on either an end or a radial surface, since they are relatively 

 small and of about the same color as the surrounding wood. 



Since the annual rings, pores, or rays do not stand out clearly, red 

 gum has no characteristic figure except for the darker streaks in 

 some grades. 



