CATALOGUE OF THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 3 



Acacia Catechu, Willd. Weight, 65 lbs. India, Buima. 



The native name of the timber is " khair," while it is sometimes known 

 as the " cutch tree." The wood is a bright red mahogany colour, is 

 slightly lustrous, and has a close, firm, hard texture. It is a valuable 

 cabinet wood, possessing the well-known qualities and appearance of 

 Spanish mahogany. Gamble says that it seasons well, takes a fine polish, 

 and is extremely durable. He also includes it in his list of woods which 

 are available in fairly large quantities. 



The pores, which are generally surrounded by a white halo, are of 

 moderate size. The medullary rays are clear and distinct but vary in 

 fineness. 



Acacia leucophloea, WiUd. Weight, 58 lbs. India, Burma. 



The wood of this fairly large tree is reddish-brown with Ughter and 

 darker streaks. It is hard, strong and tough, and seasons and polishes 

 well. It is obtainable in squares about 20 feet x 10 inches x 10 inches, 

 and is used for posts and beams, carts, wheels and ploughs, and also for 

 smaller work such as turning. 



AcANA. Source unknown. Weight, 65 lbs. Cuba. 



In 1915 a few logs, hewn square, ranging from 10 to 24 feet in length 

 and 12 to 15 inches in thickness, were imported into Liverpool under the 

 name of " acana." The timber is hard and dense, and acquires from the 

 tool a smooth, marble-like surface. 



It is of a deep, dull, purple -plum colour, and shows a strong 

 resemblance to beef-wood. Some of the logs were well marked with 

 mahogany-like roe and mottle figure. After planing the wood seems 

 inclined to split. A considerable proportion of the logs had been 

 rendered worthless by the attacks of a species of very small " worm " or 

 beetle, which bored more especially along the medullary rays and parallel 

 with the concentric growth-layers. The damaged wood emitted a strong 

 unpleasant odour suggesting putrefaction.^ 



The pores are small and somewhat obscure. The medullary rays are 

 very fine and closely packed, and are linked at right angles by similar 

 but more strongly marked white lines. 



AcAPU. Source unknown. Weight, 63 lbs. Brazil. 



This most valuable Brazilian timber agrees in general colour and 

 somewhat in appearance with dark teak, but being streaked along its 

 grain with alternate lighter and darker Unes, it displays a stronger likeness 

 to partridge wood. It does not split, yields a fine surface from the tool, 



^ Three logs of Cuban wood called " almique " have been imported into London, 

 and the wood appears to be the same as the above-named. 



