88 THE TIMBERS OF THE WORLD 



It is largely used for piles for sea jetties and docks, as, although not 

 entirely immune, the wood is partiaUy proof against the attack of the 

 teredo worm. Stone and Freeman quote W. T. Oldrieve as authority 

 for sapng that it resists Limnoria terebrans and teredo, and ranks next to 

 teak in resisting white ants. The grain is smooth and fine, and cold to 

 the touch. It is the general experience that this wood is poisonous, and 

 workmen are very careful not to get spUnters into their hands. More 

 than twenty-five years ago, when the Port Ehzabeth jetty on the south- 

 east African coast was being built, sawn timber was imported direct 

 from Demerara, and since this time a certain amount of sawn planks and 



Central Forest Camp, M 

 Showing large gurjuii trees (Diplerocarpus iurbinatus) , possibly mo 



boards has been imported. It was used rather extensively about fifty 

 to sixty years ago for stair treads and other joiners' work if heavy wear 

 was anticipated, and much of the woodwork in the old Post Office at St. 

 Martin's-le-Grand was of this wood ; it is difficult to understand why its 

 use in this direction has been discontinued. It forms the best wood 

 used sohd for salmon, trout, and other fishing rods. A fine sample 

 of greenheart can be made into an exceedingly smaU top joint for such a 

 rod, and wUl bend to an extraordinary extent without breaking. The 

 colour is of a pale yellowish -green, while sometimes it is quite dark with 

 brown and black streaks. The black greenheart is considered to be the 

 best. 



A shipment of Surinam greenheart, weighing 74 lbs. 12 oz. per cubic 



