86 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



... In the Andamans it has given squares up to 60 feet long, 2 feet 

 siding, but more usually they are 30 feet and i foot. The wood is very 

 durable. It is used for building, for bridges, gunstocks, and tool handles." 

 This wood appears to be valuable, and if properly known should be 

 much in demand. It requires to be thoroughly seasoned, when it stands 

 well and possesses a very nice decorative colour and appearance. 

 It is one of the timbers mentioned in Mr. Gamble's list of woods 

 which are available in fairly large quantities, and are Hkely to be worth 

 trial. 



The pores are scarce and strangely grouped. The medullary rays are 

 very fine but distinct, and parallel ; they are crossed in a peculiarly 

 irregular manner by small, white wavy lines, the whole giving an effect 

 as of a badly damaged spider's web. 



Garuga pinnata, Roxb. Weight, 40 lbs. India, Burma. 



The wood is reddish-brown with a handsome silver grain. It is even- 

 grained and fairly hard. It can be obtained in quantity in squares 

 30 feet X 12 inches x 12 inches. It is used for such work as planking, 

 canoes, and boxes. 



Gluta travancorica, Bedd. Weight, 46-58 lbs. India. 



The heartwood is dark red, very hard and close-grained, beautifully 

 mottled with light and dark, i.e. black and orange, streaks. Its splendid 

 colour and markings should rapidly bring it to notice as a valuable wood 

 for furniture. It seems to season well and works and polishes admirably, 

 and is distinctly one of the finest and most beautiful woods of India. 



The pores are moderate-sized, scanty, and fUled with resin. The 

 medullary rays are very fine, very numerous, prominent, and visible in 

 the silver grain as narrow bands. There are numerous pale, undu- 

 lating, concentric lines, often interrupted. 



GoNCALO Alves. Astronium fraxinifolium, Schott. Weight, 49 lbs. 

 Brazil. 



The wood is of a straw colour interspersed with streaks of dark 

 reddish-brown. It is of a hard, close-grained texture, and capable of a 

 very smooth surface from the tool. It has a very fragrant scent, especially 

 when being worked. It is reported on as being considered one of the 

 finest of Brazilian hardwoods, and as taking a high pohsh. It is used 

 for furniture, such work as flooring and wainscoting, and in naval and 

 civU construction. Certainly in wainscoting it would present a very 

 handsome appearance. Shortly before the war a cargo arrived in London 

 which consisted of a large number of logs of this timber which was termed 



