12 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



be expected in the future, when it will probably become highly valued for 

 first-class decorative cabinet work, and particularly for chairs. 



The pores are numerous and regular, and are joined by wavy belts of 

 light lines forming a very pretty pattern. The medullary rays, which are 

 fine and clear cut, are exceedingly numerous and parallel and are almost 

 equidistant. 



Apitong. Dipterocarpus grandiflorus, Blanco. Weight, 44 lbs. i oz. 

 Malay Peninsula, British North Borneo, the Philippines. 



This timber was first imported into London and Liverpool in 1915, 

 and has been received in the form of sawn planks and boards 10 feet and 

 upwards in length, 8 inches and upwards in width, generally fairly wide, 

 and up to 6 inches in thickness. 



Foxworthy described the wood as being " a pale greyish-red, some- 

 times with a faint purplish tinge." The imported wood is of a dull 

 reddish-brown colour with resin-plugged pores ; it much resembles the 

 timbers of many other dipterocarps. It is, however. lighter in weight, 

 appears to be deficient in elasticity, firmness, and strength, and is liable 

 to warp and twist. As the number of species of the dipterocarpus family 

 yielding timbers reaches more than three hundred, and as they are often 

 very similar in appearance, though of widely different qualities and values, 

 each sample or shipment should be examined with care. 



The sample examined shows concentric layers marked out by the 

 occurrence of bands containing few pores. The pores are scattered and 

 large, and are easily visible to the naked eye. The medullary rays, just 

 visible in transverse section, produce on the radial section a beautiful 

 silver grain as they stand out from the Ughter groundwork in brownish- 

 red glistening bands. 



Apple. Pyrus Malus, Linn. Weight, 48 lbs. 3 oz. Europe. 



The heart-wood of apple is hard and reddish-brown, while the sap- 

 wood is light red in tint. When thoroughly .seasoned it stands well, but 

 is very apt to warp and split during the process. It is used for a variety 

 of purposes, these including cog-wheels and turnery, and it might perhaps 

 be utiUsed to make the heads of golf clubs. 



The annual rings are recognisable, though not marked ; both pores 

 and medullary rays are invisible to the naked eye. 



Arariba Amarello. Centrolohium rohustum, Mart. Brazil. 



This is a light-coloured wood, with a clean straight grain. 



It is described in Brazilian Woods as being bright yellow with a 

 gold-tinted grain, and used for building and naval architecture and fancy 

 woodwork. 



